When was bologna built

After a long decline, Bologna was reborn in the 5th century under bishop Petronius. According to legend, St. Petronius built the church of S.

After the fall of Rome , Bologna was a frontier stronghold of the Exarchate of Ravenna in the Po plain, and was defended by a line of walls which did not enclose most of the ancient ruined Roman city. In , the city was captured by the Lombard king Liutprand , becoming part of the Lombard Kingdom. The Germanic conquerors formed a district called "addizione longobarda" near the complex of S.

Charlemagne stayed in this district in In the 11th century, Bologna began to grow again as a free commune , joining the Lombard League against Frederick Barbarossa in In , the Studio was founded, now the oldest university in Europe, which could boast notable scholars of the Middle Ages like Irnerius , and, among its students, Dante , Boccaccio and Petrarca. In the 12th century, the expanding city needed a new line of walls, and another was completed in the 14th century as the city had expanded further.

In , Bologna promulgated the Legge del Paradiso "Paradise Law" , which abolished feudal serfdom and freed the slaves, using public money. At that time the city centre was full of towers perhaps , built by the leading families, notable public edifices, churches, and abbeys. Like most Italian cities of that age, Bologna was torn by internal struggles related to the Guelph and Ghibelline factions , which led to the expulsion of the Ghibelline family of the Lambertazzi in In , Bologna was perhaps the fifth or sixth largest city in Europe, after Cordoba , Paris , Venice , Florence , and, probably, Milan , with 60, to 70, inhabitants.

After being crushed in the Battle of Zappolino by the Modenese in , Bologna began to decay and asked the protection of the Pope at the beginning of the 14th century. In , during the Black Plague, about 30, inhabitants died. After the happy years of the rule of Taddeo Pepoli — , Bologna fell to the Visconti of Milan , but returned to the Papal orbit with Cardinal Gil de Albornoz in The following years saw an alternation of Republican governments like that of , which was responsible for the building of the Basilica di San Petronio and the Loggia dei Mercanti, and Papal or Visconti restorations, while the city's families engaged in continual internecine fighting.

In the middle of the 15th century, the Bentivoglio family gained the rule of Bologna, reigning with Sante — and Giovanni II — This period was a flourishing one for the city, with the presence of notable architects and painters who made Bologna a true city of art. During the Renaissance , Bologna was the only Italian city that allowed women to excel in any profession. Women there had much more freedom than in other Italian cities; some even had the opportunity to earn a degree at the university.

Giovanni's reign ended in when the Papal troops of Julius II besieged Bologna and sacked the artistic treasures of his palace. Fusing haughty elegance with down-to-earth grit in one beautifully colonnaded medieval grid, Bologna is a city of two intriguing halves.

One side is a hard-working, high-tech city located in the super-rich Po valley where suave opera-goers waltz out of regal theatres and into some of the nation's finest restaurants. The other is a bolshie, politically edgy city that hosts the world's oldest university and is famous for its graffiti-embellished piazzas filled with mildly inebriated students swapping Gothic fashion tips.

During WWII the city was heavily bombed, but by it had become a key part of the Italian Resistance movement against fascism. Since then the city has had a series of left-wing mayors and now is governed by a coalition of left and centre parties.

Now you know a bit more about the history of Bologna, book your trip to this pretty porticoed city! At the very least you will fill your senses and your stomach with wonder and find it hard not to return!

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Your details will be used only by us for sending emails and possible marketing. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by Squarespace. Table of Contents. Where is Bologna? History of Bologna Grab a cappuccino there is a lot to learn here! Boii and Bologna It is thought by historians that the city name Bologna was derived from its Celtic and Roman inhabitants. Soon came a remarkable era in which Bologna became one of the most prominent medieval cities on the planet.

This is when many historic buildings were constructed, some of which are still standing. The tallest are Due Torri, or Two Towers, piercing the sky from the heart of the city. Papal troops seized the city in Dozens of churches and convents were built, and the university was expanded with the creation of botanical gardens in , one of the oldest in Europe.

Papal control continued until Napoleon arrived in , and Bologna joined the newly formed kingdom of Italy in It eventually grew into one of the richest cities in Italy, with a strong tradition of leftist politics and an international reputation for culinary mastery. Did you know?

Apart from their ostentatious display of wealth and power, they allowed the elites to spy on each other. Fifteen towers still remain in the city. With minimalist decor, white walls, clean lines, candles and South East Asian art, Hotel Metropolitan is something of a calm oasis. The buffet breakfast is stocked with organic produce and there is a little courtyard to relax if the weather is good.