Things to do in Bologna for self travelers

This in-app audio tour offers a self-guided exploration of Bologna's timeless treasures along the well-planned route. You'll encounter iconic landmarks, magnificent basilicas, and significant historical sites that have shaped Bologna's identity. Begin your adventure at Via Indipendenza, close to the central railway station. As you walk along the most important street in Bologna in the direction of its main square, the expertly crafted audio commentary will bring you back in time, to the the Middle Ages. As you step in the Piazza Maggiore, you will be amazed by the Basilica of St. Petronio — the last large example of the late Gothic style of architecture in Italy. Next, you will pass by the Basilica of St.Domenico adorned with the statues by young Michelangelo. You will then see the real symbol of Bologna, which feature on every postcard – the Two Towers, one of which is the highest leaning tower in Europe. Then, you will stop by the famous University of Bologna – the oldest continuously-operating university in the world that scholars like Dante Alighieri, Francesco Petrarca, Albrecht Dürer, Nicolaus Copernicus, Paracelsus, and Guglielmo Marconi, called their alma mater. After that, you will explore the Jewish Ghetto and its significance in the city's cultural mosaic. Finally, you'll discover the stunning architecture of the Basilica of St. Francis. There, you may choose to extend your journey by taking the San Luca Express to the church on the hill.

Embark on an enriching journey through the enchanting streets of Bologna with this In-App Audio Tour, tailored for individuals with an interest in delving into the city's rich cultural heritage. Starting at the iconic Two Towers, the tour will captivate history enthusiasts and curious explorers eager to uncover the layers of stories embedded in this medieval cityscape. From towering medieval landmarks like the Torre Prendiparte to bustling piazzas such as Piazza Maggiore, the route reveals the magnificence of Bologna's architecture and its influential past. The tour concludes at the stately Complex of Santo Stefano, having traversed under the famed Porticoes, and faced the imposing Fountain of Neptune. Listeners will find themselves engrossed in a tactile narration of Bologna's whispers and echoes, walking where science, art, and history converge. Highlights include experiencing the unique acoustics of the Whispering Walls at Palazzo della Podestà and letting imagination soar at the medieval skyscrapers of the city, with their tales of rivalry and resilience. A stroll along this route is not just a walk through Bologna's illustrious history, but an intimate invitation to connect with the heart and soul of this storkied city.

Delve into the rich tapestry of Bologna's architecture with this self-guided audio tour, designed for those fascinated by history and artistry manifested in stone and mortar. This journey will cater to enthusiasts eager to witness a span of styles from the Gothic to the Classical, all at their own pace. The tour kicks off at the Basilica of San Domenico, an impressive structure showcasing the Gothic style and concludes at the national treasure, the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna, a herald of fine arts. Along the pathway, travelers initiate their excursion with the Basilica's elegant chapels, move through the buoyant streets to marvel at the Casa Isolani's medieval prowess, and find themselves before the Academy of Fine Arts, absorbing the ambiance of a city devoted to artistry. The concluding stop opens up a spectacle of important Italian paintings within the grandeur of the Pinacoteca's walls. Along the route, this auditory exploration promises a palette of memorable experiences: standing beneath the longest wooden beams at Casa Isolani, reflecting on the intellectual legacies at Palazzo Poggi, and traversing the former Jewish Ghetto's narrow streets, rich with historical echoes. Each narration is a key to unlocking the visual and cultural narratives embedded in Bologna's edifices, promising a journey not only through the city's lanes but also through the annals of its storied past.