Leaving Ljubljana behind, we headed for Bologna, and as soon as we arrived, we didn’t waste any time. After checking into the hotel, we set off almost immediately to explore the city. The atmosphere was great at first, but it got even better later when two more friends joined us. So by the end of the day, seven of us were heading into the evening in Bologna, looking for a cozy place to have dinner together.
The city of Bologna, where we spent our evening, has an amazing past. Its history dates back to the Etruscans, who founded a settlement here under the name Felsina, and then the Romans, who made it an important hub under the name Bononia. In the Middle Ages, the city became one of the intellectual centers of Europe, as the world’s first university was founded here in 1088, which is why it is still called “La Dotta” (The Learned).
Looking at the city skyline, you can’t help but notice the unique brick buildings and the endless arcades, but perhaps the most interesting is the history of the towers. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Bologna looked like a medieval Manhattan. Rich families made it a matter of prestige to build the tallest tower, so at that time, nearly a hundred such structures towered over the city. These towers served both defensive purposes and showed the power of the families.
Over the centuries, most of the towers fell victim to fires, wars or demolition. Today, only two remain in the city center as mementos, known to the world as “Le Due Torri”. The taller one is the Asinelli Tower, and the lower and spectacularly leaning one next to it is the Garisenda. Standing under them and thinking that a hundred of them once cut through the sky was a very special feeling.
