Bologna: The Original College Town - And The Land Of Porticos

Bologna is famous for a few things, not just its cuisine. For one, it is home to the oldest university in the world.  That is why it is also called La Dotta, "The Learned One." 

The University of Bologna was founded in 1088.  Summer-time is obviously off-season.  But it is still fun to amble around the university quarter, which I think abuts what used to be the Jewish Ghetto.  The university quarter is very scruffy.  It is filled with graffiti, make-shift signs advertising apartments for rent, places to have beer and coffee, and loads of university buildings. 

Looks to me like this is part of the law school.  

The other thing that is downright omnipresent in Bologna is porticos.  These are the portions of streets that are lined with arches under which you walk.  They are absolutely everywhere.  And some of them look good. 

A must-do on your next visit to Bologna is the long walk uphill to the Basilica Santuario della Madonna di San Luca.  It's a bit of a workout - which you need given all the food - because you have to walk along the longest portico on earth.  There are 666 arches that hold the portico aloft.  (You can take a bus that gets you half-way there; unfortunately, it drops you off just where the incline begins.)

If you do this in summer-time, you'll be drenched by the time you get to the basilica. It's worth it though. You have some incredible views and the church itself is quite nice.

This is where the bus lets you off and where you start the long walk up.

Finally, you get to the top.  It looks good from there.