Bologna… the Well-fed, the Learned and the Red City. Three names for one and the same city with its age-old history and everyday life dominated by university students. This is why it is known as Bologna the Learned City, because it has the oldest university in the western world (founded in 1088). The university atmosphere is very lively and there are any number of places for enjoying its night life. Bologna the Red City owes its name to the colour of its buildings and rooftops. It preserves the typical architecture of the Renaissance period and everything is tinged with this bright colour. In addition, it was one of the cities that offered greatest resistance against the fascists in the Second World War and has been a reference location for the Italian Communist Party. Bologna the Well-fed City, because of its culinary traditions which concentrate - as could be expected - on the Mediterranean diet. One of its typical dishes is theTortellini à la Bolognese, which must be washed down with the local wine known as Sangiovese If we wish to make the acquaintance of the Bologna monuments, we must go to see the Due Torri, two towers (46 mts. high Garisenda and 97 mts. high Asinelli). In the Middle Ages, this type of fortress dominated the city landscape and there were over 200 brick-built towers. Other places to visit are the Fountain of Neptune, a magnificent marble and bronze statue which symbolises the papal power; the Palazzo di Re Enzo, which is to be found in the Piazza de Nettuno; the Cathedral of St. Petronius, which was built to commemorate the victory of the people of Bologna over Florence and the Pope; the Palazzo dei Anchi, a former bankers’ headquarters and the 13th century town hall.

DIANA
North of Piazza Maggiore square, Bologna's famous Diana restaurant was established in 1920. Roast or boiled meats served from the trolley are specialities, along with salt cod with polenta, truffle shavings over tortelloni and dessert of poached pears. A meal here is an elegant, formal experience, served by white jacketed waiters at white linen-draped tables.

I CARRACCI
North of Piazza Maggiore square, I Carracci is Bologna's most elegant formal dining room, boasting a ceiling covered in 16th-century Carracci-school frescoes. Well-selected local and imported wines, seasonal produce and regional recipes are the specialities. Tear your eyes away from the frescoes to enjoy home-made tagliatelle, tortollini in broth, seafood flan or ice-cream waffles.

RISTORANTE PAPPAGALLO
In a medieval building near the Two Towers, Ristorante Pappagallo has been a local favourite for a special meal since 1919. The warmly lit, atmospheric room has arched ceilings, chandeliers and picture-lined walls. The cuisine is traditional but creative Bolognese. Try specialities like rabbit ravioli, squid and asparagus tagliatelle follwed by saffron pannacotta with cherries.

CAFÉ DE PARIS
Just off Piazza Maggiore square, popular Cafe de Paris serves inventive cocktails accompanied by good-quality bar snacks in the early evening and into the night. Grab a table on the terrace for people-watching to a cool soundtrack.

LE STANZE
Few cocktail bars are as stunningly located as Le Stanze, housed in a former chapel in the University quarter with Renaissance frescoes on ceilings and walls. The candlelit ambience, cocktails and laid-back music are a fine match for the surroundings.

KASAMATTA
Near the Two Towers, Kasamatta is a subterranean nightclub with clean white decor and subtle lighting. The atmosphere is art-gallery cool, like the crowd swinging to smooth techno and house. Get things started by dining at their chic restaurant.

CHEZ BAKER
Just south of the train station, the moody New York-style Chez Baker jazz club hosts seriously good local and international jazz. Eat along with the music in the basement or dine before the show in the main dining room.

CANTINA BENTIVOGLIO
Cantina Bentivoglio is a friendly, upbeat live jazz club near the University quarter which doubles as a restaurant and wine bar. The lively calendar of entertainment has attracted such luminaries as Ron Blake, Max Roach and Wynton Marsalis.

BRUNO MAGLI
Bruno Magli is synonymous with classic shoes and accessories, and has been a Bolognese fashion icon since 1936. This boutique in Bologna's most sophisticated shopping arcade, south of Piazza Maggiore square, is a suitably glamorous setting to browse the collection.

LA PIAZZOLA MARKET
Bologna's popular La Piazzola Market specialises in vintage, discounted and second-hand clothing, and dates back to 1219. Join the throngs scanning the 400 covered stalls for bargains on Fridays and Saturdays at Piazza VIII Agosto near the train station.

F. VERONESI & FIGLI
Dating back to 1893, F. Veronesi & Figli specialises in quality gold jewellery and watches, and is one of the city's finest jewellers. The lovely old shop is in the heart of Bologna's ritzy shopping hub on Piazza Maggiore square.

PIAZZA MAGGIORE
Pedestrianised Piazza Maggiore is Bologna's main square and favourite meeting point. Perfect for people-watching, the piazza is flanked by bustling cafés and some of the city's most imposing medieval and Renaissance buildings, including San Petronio Basilica and Palazzo Comunale (town hall).

NEPTUNE FOUNTAINE
Surrounded by cavorting cherubs and mermaids representing the Ganges, Nile, Amazon and Danube, the muscular statue of Neptune dominates Piazza Maggiore square's north-west corner. Neptune Fountain was sculpted by Flemish artist Giambologna in 1563. Visit at night when floodlit.

TWO TOWERS
Medieval Bologna was dotted with perhaps 100 towers, built by competing families for protection and prestige. Twenty remain, and the Asinelli and Garisenda, east of Piazza Maggiore square, are most famous. Climb the taller, less tilted Asinelli for spectacular views.

SAINT PETRONIO BASILICA
Named after Bologna's patron saint, San Petronio Basilica is the city's most important church. The Gothic masterpiece dominates Piazza Maggiore square, with 22 chapels and a notable carved doorway. Visit the museum to explore the history of the building's construction.

BOTANIC GARDEN
Bologna University's Botanical Gardens is among the oldest in Europe, founded in 1568. A welcome stretch of green in the university precinct, the gardens include local and exotic specimens, medicinal plants, greenhouses, ornamental gardens and natural woodlands.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
South-east of Piazza Maggiore square, the Archaeological Museum of Bologna occupies a remarkable 15th-century palace. Collections trace Bologna's development from prehistoric to Roman times, with fine displays of statues, tombstones and coins. The Etruscan and Egyptian collections are particularly good.