Cheap Car Hire Bologna

Car hire Bologna - a city known by many names

Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna is a large, lively University City.  Youthful flair and high spirited joyfulness is combined in unique symbiosis with cultural and architectural achievements over the last 2000 years.  The city has always been one of the centres of Italy.  From here on I will explain why Bologna has inherited some of its nicknames.         

Discover La Rossa with car hire in Bologna

The city is called La Rossa (“the reds”) not only because of the political stand of the population but above all because of the red tiles.  In Bologna the characteristic roof landscape with its earthy pastel coloured facades establishes a unique unity.  The structure of the city indicates Roman inheritance.  The city was at one time chequered around the central crossroads were two main streets were laid.  Six North-South and eight East-West roads shared Bologna from then on into individual quarters that have been kept like this until today.   

Enjoy mesmerising shops and boutiques in Bologna

The centre of the city is the Piazza Maggiore with the fountain of Neptune and the gothic Basilica Petronio.  Due to its huge scale- the central isle measures 20 metres wide and 40 metres high- it is the fifth largest church in the world.  Around this location there are covered passage-ways with shops and boutiques.  Luxury goods and shoe shops will draw you in! The Piazza Santo Stefano is particularly appealing were the church of Santo Stefano is located as well as the still occupied monastery complex religious edifices with its mysterious, but romantic cloisters.              

Visit La Turrita with the ease of car hire in Bologna

Particularly atmospheric is a visit to the church of pilgrimage, Santuario della Madonna di San Luca.  The church is located above the city on the “Guardian Hill”.  Looking out from above you will have an impressive view of the Po valley.  In order to get to the church there is a 4km (2.5 miles) arcade- the longest in the world.  Bologna is famous for such wonderful arcades.  You will find them again in the old town and altogether there is a total length of 38 km (24 miles). Symbols of the city are the two towers, the Torre Garisenda and the Torre degli Asinelli.  They were both built in 1300.  The city at one time had 180 such status symbols from rich families- to which Bologna has also the nickname “la turrita”, the towers.   

See 'The Scholar' in Bologna with car hire

The city is often called La dotta (“the scholar”) because of its famous university.  Today’s students hardly ever give off an intellectual scholarly atmosphere.  They are more so responsible for the lively, youthful flair of the city and its colourful night-life.  Bologna (404,000 inhabitants) has innumerable cafes, bars and night-clubs.  Students spend more time in the trendy clothes shops than in the time old university buildings!       

...and finally, enjoy the world famous foods of Bologna

Bologna is known as La Grassa („the fats“) due to its availability of fatty foods.  You might look for „Spaghetti Bolognese“ on the menu but you will look in vain.  The city is more so the home of Tortellini.  These are filled with mince and served with a meat stock (brodo) or with Sugo Bolognese (made from mince and tomatoes) Typical for Bologna is for the Sugo to be made with Salsiccia (sausage).  A further culinary speciality of the region is Mortadella, a cold cut pork sausage.       

No matter what nickname you personally want to give Bologna:  The flair and fascination of the city pulls everyone with it.  Should you have enough of the city we recommend that you book a cheap hire car and discover some of the surrounding areas.

CarDelMar wishes you a wonderful time with car hire in Bologna!