Bologna History

Originally inhabited during the Bronze Age by native farmers and shepherds, known as Villanovians, the land on which Bologna stands found its urban beginnings in the 5th century BC under Etruscan rule. The following century saw conquer by Celtic tribes, until Roman colonisation brought 3,000 Latin settlers here in 191 BC. During the next 100 years, the Romans laid the foundations for what would make Bologne, the second city of Italy and one of the jewels of the entire empire. The building of the via Aemilia made it a major transit hub and it was at this time that a grid layout for its city streets was created, imprints of which still mark the city today. It is estimated that during the height of the Roman Empire, Bologne was inhabited by as many as 30,000 people.

Early history

In 728, the city fell into the hands of the Lombards, and over the years became a prize in the struggles of popes and emperors. In 1088, the city became home to what is now Europe’s oldest university, then called the Studio, now known as the University of Bologna. The institute attracted scholars from across Europe, with such notable alumni as Dante, Petrarch, Bocaccio and Copernicus.

After the city was absorbed by the Napoleon empire at the end of the 18th century, Bologna found itself back in the control of the papacy, and as a major supporter of Italian unity, it was included in the Republic of Italy in 1860. It became an important hub again, as a centre for commerce, industry and communications, and its population began to swell in the early 20th century.

WWII to present

Although WWII brought fascist rule from Mussolini across Italy, Bologna played a key role in the resistance against German occupiers, who had taken over the city after the government switched sides. The city sustained heavy damage during the final battles of the war, but its prominent monuments from throughout its history remain.

Today, the city is known for its high-tech industries and it is also home to major sports car manufacturers Lamborghini and Maserati as well as luxury motorcycle maker Ducati. Besides the prominent scholars lured by the university, Bologna has also had author Umberto Eco and prime minister and former European Commission president Romano Prodi as residents.