Bologna: The Culinary Heart of Italy

• HelloCiao
  [chow]
• GoodbyeArrivederci
  [ah-ree-veh-dehr-chee]
• YesSì
  [see]
• NoNo
  [noh]
• Please/You're welcomePer favore/Prego
  [pehr fah-vo-reh/preh-goh]
• Thank youGrazie
  [grah-tsyeh]
• Excuse me/SorryScusa/Mi dispiace
  [skoo-sah/mee dee-spyah-cheh]
• How are you?Come stai?
  [koh-meh stai]
• Fine. And you?Bene. E tu?
  [beh-neh. eh too]
• Do you speak English?Parli inglese?
  [pahr-lee een-gleh-zeh]
• I don't understandNon capisco
  [non kah-pee-skoh]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseVorrei vedere il menù, per favore
  [vohr-ray veh-deh-reh eel meh-noo, pehr fah-vo-reh]
• I don't eat meatNon mangio carne
  [non mahn-joh kahr-neh]
• Cheers!Salute!
  [sah-loo-teh]
• I would like to pay, pleaseVorrei pagare, per favore
  [vohr-ray pah-gah-reh, pehr fah-vo-reh]

• Help!Aiuto!
  [ah-yoo-toh]
• Go away!Vai via!
  [vah-ee vee-ah]
• Call the Police!Chiama la polizia!
  [kee-ah-mah lah poh-lee-tsya]
• Call a doctor!Chiama un dottore!
  [kee-ah-mah oon doht-toh-reh]
• I'm lostMi sono perso
  [mee soh-no pehr-soh]
• I'm illSto male
  [stoh mah-leh]

• I'd like to buy...Vorrei comprare...
  [vohr-ray kohm-prah-reh]
• I'm just lookingSto solo guardando
  [stoh soh-loh gwahr-dahn-doh]
• How much is it?Quanto costa?
  [kwahn-toh koh-stah]
• That's too expensiveÈ troppo caro
  [eh trohp-poh kah-roh]
• Can you lower the price?Puoi abbassare il prezzo?
  [pwah-ee ahb-bahs-sah-reh eel preh-tsoh]

• What time is it?Che ora è?
  [keh oh-rah eh]
• It's one o'clockÈ l'una
  [eh loo-nah]
• Half past (10)Le dieci e mezza
  [leh dee-eh-chee eh meh-tsa]
• MorningMattina
  [maht-tee-nah]
• AfternoonPomeriggio
  [poh-meh-ree-joh]
• EveningSera
  [seh-rah]
• YesterdayIeri
  [yeh-ree]
• TodayOggi
  [oh-jee]
• TomorrowDomani
  [doh-mah-nee]
• 1Uno
  [oo-no]
• 2Due
  [doo-eh]
• 3Tre
  [treh]
• 4Quattro
  [kwah-troh]
• 5Cinque
  [cheen-kweh]
• 6Sei
  [seh-ee]
• 7Sette
  [seht-teh]
• 8Otto
  [oh-ttoh]
• 9Nove
  [noh-veh]
• 10Dieci
  [dee-eh-chee]

• Where's a/the...?Dov'è...?
  [doh-veh]
• What's the address?Qual è l'indirizzo?
  [kwahl eh leen-dee-reet-soh]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Puoi mostrarmi (sulla mappa)?
  [pwah-ee mohs-trahr-mee soo-lah mahp-pah]
• When's the next (bus)?Quando passa il prossimo (autobus)?
  [kwahn-doh pahs-sah eel prohs-see-moh ow-toh-boo-s]
• A ticket (to ....)Un biglietto (per ....)
  [oon bee-lyet-toh pehr]

Bologna's history dates back to the 6th century BCE when it was known as Felsina, an Etruscan settlement. In the 4th century BCE, the city was conquered by the Gauls and later by the Romans in 189 BCE, who renamed it Bononia. The Roman era saw the establishment of a grid layout, the construction of roads, and significant urban development.

During the Middle Ages, Bologna became an important urban center. In 1088, the University of Bologna was founded, becoming the oldest university in continuous operation in the world. The university attracted scholars from all over Europe and became renowned for its studies in law, medicine, and the arts.

From the 12th to the 14th century, Bologna was a prosperous and influential commune. This period saw the construction of numerous defensive towers, with estimates suggesting there were once as many as 180 towers in the city. The iconic Asinelli and Garisenda towers are remnants of this era, symbolizing the power and wealth of the city's leading families.

In 1506, Bologna came under the control of the Papal States. Despite the political shift, the city flourished during the Renaissance, with significant contributions to art, science, and architecture. Renowned artists such as the Carracci brothers and Guido Reni left their mark with works that can still be admired in the city's churches and galleries.

The late 18th and early 19th centuries saw Bologna's occupation by Napoleonic forces. The city was incorporated into the Cisalpine Republic and later the Kingdom of Italy under Napoleon. After the fall of Napoleon, Bologna returned to Papal control until the unification of Italy in 1861, when it became part of the newly established Kingdom of Italy. The 19th and 20th centuries brought industrialization, modernization, and significant urban growth.

Bologna experienced significant damage during World War II due to its strategic importance as a transportation hub. The city was heavily bombed, resulting in extensive destruction. After the war, Bologna underwent a period of rapid reconstruction and modernization, rebuilding its infrastructure and preserving its historical heritage.

In recent decades, Bologna has experienced a cultural renaissance, becoming a vibrant center for the arts, education, and gastronomy. The city is known for its rich culinary traditions, including its famous Bolognese sauce and fresh pasta. Bologna remains a dynamic and thriving city, blending its historical legacy with contemporary innovation.

Bologna is well-connected by air, rail, and road. The main airport serving Bologna is Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ), located about 6 kilometers from the city center. It offers flights to and from numerous European and international destinations. The airport is connected to the city center by the Aerobus, which operates frequently. Bologna Centrale is the main train station and is a major railway hub in Italy, offering high-speed train connections to cities like Milan, Florence, and Rome. If you prefer driving, Bologna is accessible via the A1 and A14 motorways.

Bologna has an efficient public transportation system that includes buses and trains. The TPER (Trasporto Passeggeri Emilia-Romagna) operates the city’s bus services. Tickets can be bought at newsstands, tobacco shops, or via the TPER app. For short distances, biking is a popular option, and the city offers bike-sharing services. Taxis are readily available, and ride-sharing apps like Uber are operational in the city. Renting a car is also an option, especially if you plan to explore the surrounding Emilia-Romagna region.

The official currency in Bologna is the Euro (€). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops. ATMs are plentiful throughout the city for cash withdrawals. It is advisable to carry some cash, particularly for small purchases or in smaller establishments. Contactless payment systems are also becoming increasingly common.

Bologna is generally a safe city for tourists. However, like any urban area, it is important to stay vigilant. Be cautious in crowded areas such as train stations and tourist spots to avoid pickpocketing. The area around the train station and the university district can be more prone to petty crime, especially at night. Stick to well-lit and populated areas after dark.

In case of emergency, dial 112 for immediate assistance, which is the European emergency number. For medical emergencies, Bologna has several hospitals, including the Policlinico Sant'Orsola-Malpighi. Pharmacies are widely available and usually have an on-call service during nights and holidays. It’s advisable to carry travel insurance that covers medical emergencies.

Fashion: Do dress stylishly, as Italians take pride in their appearance. Avoid overly casual clothing like flip-flops or beachwear when in the city. Religion: Do respect religious sites by dressing modestly. Cover your shoulders and knees when entering churches. Public Transport: Do validate your bus ticket upon boarding. Don’t forget to offer your seat to elderly passengers. Greetings: Do greet with a firm handshake and maintain eye contact. A kiss on both cheeks is common among acquaintances. Eating & Drinking: Do try local dishes like tagliatelle al ragù and tortellini. Avoid asking for modifications to your dish as it’s considered disrespectful to the chef.

To experience Bologna like a local, spend time exploring the narrow streets and hidden alleys of the Quadrilatero district, known for its vibrant markets and food stalls. Visit the Mercato di Mezzo for a taste of local cuisine. Take a stroll under the city's iconic porticoes, which provide shelter from both sun and rain. Don’t miss a visit to the historic University of Bologna, the oldest university in continuous operation. For a panoramic view of the city, climb the Asinelli Tower.