Bologna is the capital and largest city of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy. Bologna is most famous for being the home to the oldest university in continuous operation, the University of Bologna, established in AD 1088.

The city has been an important urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans who called it Felsina, then under the Celts as Bona, later under the Romans (Bonōnia), then again in the Middle Ages, as a free municipality and later signoria, when it was among the largest European cities by population. Famous for its towers, churches and lengthy porticoes, Bologna has a well-preserved historical centre, thanks to a careful restoration and conservation policy which began at the end of the 1970s.

Below is a selection of photos taken during a visit to Bologna on may 10 2026. Click on a small photo for a larger view, then select the next one with the cursor keys or the arrows on either side of the photo.