Bologna

The museum of the famous Italian motorcycle manufacturer Located near the historic Ducati factory in Borgo Panigale, it is one of the most popular museums in Bologna. Officially inaugurated on October 16, 1998, it was completely renovated in 2016, on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the company's establishment and exhibits the most beautiful road and racing bikes of the Ducati brand. The museum retraces the history of the company in four different itineraries that lead the visitor from the Company’s origins to today: The exhibition of Ducati road motorcycles: 15 models representing a journey through time from 1926 to today, showing the socio-cultural changes that have occurred through the different eras; The history of road bikes: the twenty most iconic models that have made the history of the company; A tour in the discovery of Ducati racing bikes, displayed next to the trophies and suits of the racers; A time-gallery of Ducati Moments: the history of the company through events, personalities and technological innovation.

The tower cited by Dante in the Inferno The Garisenda Tower is one of the two towers of Bologna, a symbol of the city. Located in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, it originally had a height of about 60 meters. It was then reduced to 48 meters following structural failures that resulted in its pronounced incline. Less imposing than the nearby Asinelli tower, it is however just as famous, so much so that it is mentioned by Dante both in a sonnet and in the Divine Comedy, precisely in reference to its slope. It has been owned by the City of Bologna since 1904, but it cannot be visited due to its precarious condition.

The largest agri-food park in the world Opened in 2017, FICO Eataly World is a theme park dedicated to the agri-food sector and gastronomy. It is the largest in the world, located in the former areas of the Bologna Agri-food Center. It offers a unique experience that features across its 10 hectares of space, traditional Italian food and wine products. The space includes outdoors, two hectares dedicated to agricultural cultivation - vineyards, olive trees, citrus fruits, and grains - and stables with more than 200 animals of the main breeds bred in our country. Indoors, the 8 hectares host: 40 factories and 150 companies that supply products directly for sustainability locally, at 0 km; over 40 venues, shops and a market; areas dedicated to sport, children playgrounds, reading and services; 6 classrooms, 6 large educational rides; a conference center and a Foundation with 4 universities. FICO also organizes a host of activities, such as guided tasting sessions and cooking courses under the flag of Made in Italy and best in the sector.

One of the oldest botanical gardens in Italy The Botanical Garden of the University of Bologna is one of the oldest in Italy, created by Ulisse Aldrovandi in 1568. Initially, it was located in a courtyard of the Palazzo D'Accursio, near Piazza Maggiore, and its purpose was to show medical students the plants from which the medicines of the time were prepared. After several moves, the Botanical Garden found its final home in Via Irnerio, no. 42, in the heart of the university area. With an area of 20,000 sqm, it exhibits about 1800 species and numerous monumental tree specimens. It is important to note that many of the cultivated species are rare or protected. The Garden has two buildings that, in part, host the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences and four greenhouses, two tropical and two of succulent plants. The reconstruction of various natural environments is of particular interest: various plant species are associated similarly to what happens in nature.

One of the city’s most famous monuments Commissioned in 1563 by Pope Pius IV, it was built by the architect Tommaso Laureti. The sculptor Giambologna created the bronze statue of the god of the sea, which stands at 3.40 meters tall leading to its nickname of The Giant by the people of Bologna. It is located in Piazza del Nettuno, adjacent to Piazza Maggiore, in the city center. It is a symmetrical structure, with a vertical look to the whole piece with different groups of figures (dolphins, mermaids, cherubs, coats of arms) surrounding the main figure of Neptune. Spring water gushes from the 38 nozzles incorporated into the bronze figures, a precious asset immediately used by the people of Bologna for their needs. It is also famous because the architect designed the work with perfect proportions to make sure that when you look at the statue from a particular angle the thumb of the left hand alludes to an erect phallus coinciding with the lower abdomen. Today it is one of Bologna’s iconic monuments and symbolizes its traditions. It seems to bring students good luck if they go around the fountain twice before each exam.

A historical theater with a music tradition of excellence On May 14, 1763, Teatro Comunale in Bologna was inaugurated with a Gluck's Trionfo di Clelia show. That was the beginning of a long music tradition that over time made it famous for the high level of its performances and the fame of the artists hosted on its stage. From Mozart, Rossini and Wagner’s symphonic operas to the voices of Stignani, Schipa, Gigli, Di Stefano and more recently, Pavarotti, Freni, Bruson and many others, to major conductors such as Von Karajan, Celibidache, Delman, Muti, Abbado, Gatti and Jurowski, the Teatro Comunale di Bologna has always been a landmark in terms of music tradition closely linked to the city's well-known music culture. Every year, it hosts approximately 80 operas and 30 symphony concerts, making for a truly extensive and articulated artistic season. The theater, a veritable institution for the city of Bologna, carries out corporate partnership projects, cultural reviews open to everyone and educational activities, promoting and supporting new talents through the Opera School.