Bologna is called the "learned". It is characterized by many porticoes (there are almost 35 km of porticos). There are several types of them: made of wood, bricks, austere and rich, round and square, illuminated and dark, they are the perfect place for relaxing walks, to meet friends, a "protected" place from which it is possible to admire the streets, the people, and the palaces. The porticoes are maybe the main feature of Bologna: citizens and visitors under the porticoes feel at home. They are characterized also by the red colour of stones and plasters.

Bologna is a city and a village at the same time. Walking along the porticoes, people can taste the flavours of this city; can go shopping in elegant shops or in the markets, can meet a world that is variegated from a cultural and economical point of view.

Cooking is very important. The most famous dish is tortellini (they were inspired by Venus navel) and tagliatelle (according to a legend, they were created to represent the long blonde hair of Lucrezia Borgia, to celebrate her wedding to Duke of Ferrara, Alfonso I d’Este).

Giacomo Leopardi considered the time spent in Bologna as the happiest of his journey: "Io sospiro per Bologna, dove sono stato quasi festeggiato; dove ho incontrato più amicizie assai in nove giorni che a Roma in cinque mesi, dove non si pensa ad altro che a vivere allegramente, senza diplomazie, dove i forestieri non trovano riposo per le gran carezze che ricevono, dove gli uomini d’ingegno sono invitati a pranzo nove giorni ogni settimana….". He wanted to celebrate the friends he met. He was happier in Bologna for nine days than in Rome for five months because people were friendly and supportive.