The city of Bologna preserves the traces of past civilisations and the character of medieval splendour. Widely visited by the Romantic writers and celebrated for the arts and culinary excellence, Bologna is animated by a cosmopolitan culture that is enriched by the presence of the University.
Not surprisingly, the history of the city of Bologna and her University are inextricably interwoven. Walking down the streets of the town centre you immediately feel this close-knit relationship between them. Even Bologna’s architecture is said to have been influenced by the presence of the students: legend tells that its famous arcades (i portici) were designed in order to extend the houses to provide another room to be let to students. Even since the Middle Ages students from out of town and abroad have always been a significant presence at the University of Bologna. The urban structure of Bologna is still intact and dominates, even visually, the single architectural works of art. Here, even the most beautiful Renaissance and Baroque palaces are part of the medieval city plan, which extends like the spokes of a wheel from the heart of the city (marked by the two leaning towers, Asinelli and Garisenda).
Bologna has no squares built to give prominence to imposing façades. Despite the demolition carried out in the nineteenth century and the destruction caused during the last world war, the urban structure of Bologna has maintained both its integrity and its charm.