Venue
Venue
University
The Università di Bologna- Alma Mater Studiorum is the oldest university in Europe, emanating from the school of jurisprudence in 1088. She is the institutional home to roughly 86,000 students and is organized in 11 schools (scuole) responsible for the university’s didactic activities and 32 departments (dipartimenti) dedicated to research. Its various facilities are spread throughout the city. In addition, the university has also facilities in Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna, Rimini and a representation in Buenos Aires. Throughout its history, the Alma Mater has attracted many famous students such as Dante Alighieri, Nicolaus Copernicus or Albrecht Dürer. The university is not only distinguishing itself with regard to this historically unique tradition, though. Also currently, Bologna is a leading institution in the context of internationalization as evidenced by 71 international degree courses, for instance. It is consistently among the best Italian universities concerning Erasmus Incomings and often leads international rankings such as the one realized by the QS World University Ranking.
For our undertakings, and the corresponding institutional actors, the school of Lettere e Beni Culturali is most important as is the department of Storia Cultura Civiltà (DiSCi). This department can be found in Piazza San Giovanni in Monte, 2, close to the historic city center revolving around Piazza Maggiore and Piazza Santo Stefano. The premises of the DiSCi are also the venue of our Summer School.
City
Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna Region in Italy. It has roughly 390,000 residents (urban area). As already mentioned, the urban image of the city is shaped to a large extent by the university. The close interplay goes back to the medieval origins of the educational institution and is visible today with the manifold cooperations between the university, civil society, and communal institutions. By the same token, the tombs of the first legal scholars (Tombe dei Glossatori) can still be found in Piazza San Domenico and Piazza Malpighi. The appreciation of this history finds its expression in a unique combination ofUniversità andComunità. It is because of that context that the city is often referred to as ‘the learned one’ (la dotta). Almost exclusively, the university institutions are located in the historic center of the city. But not only because of its university can Bologna look back to a diverse and rich history. As one of the leading centers (comune), Bologna played a crucial role in the conflict between Ghibellines and Guelphs as it did likewise by repressing the influence of the Holy Roman Empire (1249). As a consequence of this Battle of Fossalta, Enzo of Sardinia, son of Frederick II, got captured by the Bolognese and spent the rest of his life in Bologna. ThePalazzo Re Enzoand his tomb inSan Domenico are vivid reminders of this episode. By 1506, when Bologna was placed under Papal rule, the city became the most important one right after Rome in the Papal States although the period is considered to be characterized by decline. Napoleon would enter the city in 1796 but after his demise, the city fell under Papal rule again. For the more recent history, Bologna stands out too: the early 1920s saw the emergence of local fascist groups (fasci) in the city and the hinterlands. They played an active part in the ongoing conflicts between landowners and the socialist peasant labor organizations. One of the most prominent fascist leaders in the person of Dino Grandi emerged from this context. In the postwar years, especially during the 1960s and 1970s, Bologna was considered ‘the red city’ (la rossa). While initially this sobriquet referred to the rubicund rooftops, it now also alluded to the strong communist stance that the city and its politicians took.
Landmarks of the city are the two towersTorre Asinelli andTorre Garisenda. These tower houses (Geschlechtertürme) were built in the 12th century and are part of the few towers that are still visible today. More than 150 towers were erstwhile part of the cityscape. Both towers are slanting considerably. The centerpiece of Bologna isPiazza Maggiore with the adjacent basilicaSan Petronio – named after the city’s patron saint. The church is one of the largest in the world and serves as an impressive reminiscence to the city’s past under Papal rule. Also adjacent to the Piazza is the aforementionedPalazzo Re Enzo andPalazzo d’Accursiothat accommodates today’s municipality. Other popular places are thePiazza Santo Stefanonamed after the eponymous oldest basilica in the city. The church, also known asSette Chiese, is actually a sophisticated complex of different churches stemming from different epochs. Also within easy walking distance from the main piazza,Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio houses one of the oldest anatomical theaters in the world. The palace was also the seat of the university between the 16th and 19th century.
The current university’s central offices are in Via Zamboni, which is likewise one of the most popular streets for students. Similar active areas are Via del Pratello, Via delle Moline, or the Via Mascarella where many bars and pubs can be found and whose streets are crowded in the summer by local residents and students alike. Besides these bars, Bologna offers a great variety of food and many outstanding restaurants. The distinct cuisine and culinary style has yielded the city the nickname of being ‘the fat one’ (la grassa). Exceedingly renowned local products such as the Mortadella, local cuisine provides a seemingly endless variety of Tagliatelle, Tortellini or Lasagne. Besides all that, strolling through Bologna is an experience in itself as more often than not visitors will find themselves covered by the city’s 40 kilometers of porticos.
Further Information
Official website of the city of Bologna
http://www.comune.bologna.it/
Bologna’s tourism website
http://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/
Department Storia Cultura Civiltà
http://www.storia-culture-civilta.unibo.it/it
Information regarding international matters of Bologna University
http://www.unibo.it/it/internazionale
Airport Bologna
http://www.bologna-airport.it/uk/?LN=UK
Local Public Transport (Autobus)
http://www.tper.it/
Local Public Transport (Train)
http://www.trenitalia.com/
For the city’s museums
http://www.museibologna.it/