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Discover Bologna area, Bologna is sited on the historical Via Emilia
Between the mountains and the lowlands. A city with truly ancient roots, Bologna has many archeological sites and a historic center the Medieval origins of which are perfectly preserved.
Traditional place of worship for the presence of an image the Virgin of St. Luca as well as reassuring visual landmark for Bolognese approaching town, the shrine located on top of Guardia hill is one of Bologna's symbol. The 666 vaults of the arcade - unique for his length covering almost four kilometres (3,796 m) - link the shrine with the town and provide a shelter for the procession which every year since 1433 has brought the Byzantine Madonna with Child to the cathedral downtown during the Ascension week. Construction started in 1674 with the building of the Bonaccorsi archway by G. G. Monti over Saragozza Gateway. The same architect was also assigned the designing of the final project for the layout of the arcade at the foot of the hill, with extremely sober and simple style, later followed by his successor C.F. Dotti, starting from the second decade of the 18th century. The end part of the arcade on top of the hill, designed by the latter, is instead characterised by a dynamic variation of perspectives and vanishing points up to the final view of the shrine.
Among the numerous monuments of interest to the visitor one finds the symbol of Bologna, the two towers, the Tower degli Asinelli and the Tower Garisenda; then there are the city walls, the Church of St Maria dei Servi, the Church of St Stefano, the Church of St Domenico, the Church of St Pietro, the Church of St Giacomo Maggiore, the Montagnola Gardens, Palazzo del Podestą, Palazzo del Re Enzo, Palazzo Comunale, the Basilica of San Petronio, and Piazza Maggiore.
In addition to its historic center, there is a modern aspect to Bologna, with active participation in International Business, and with the Exhibition center which hosts numerous important fairs for the construction, wellness, automobile, hi tech, and leather industries as well as cultural events.
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