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BOLOGNA
A City of remote origins
(the first documented settlements were around the Villanovan
times, 4th Century BC); it became Etruscan Felsina in the
6th Century BC, and was conquered by the Galli Boi. Then from
189 it became a Latin colony which was given the name of Bononia,
allowing it to become an important road link with the opening
up of the Via Emilia. After the Barbaric invasions, it managed
to get back on its feet only during the 11th Century, due
to a free council (1114), therefore allowing it to enjoy a
period of maximum commercial, political and cultural splendour
- (the university or so called Stadium was founded, the oldest
and for many centuries, one of the must illustrious in Europe).
The City guelphed in battle against the Emperor, and King
Enzo was imprisoned, son of Federico II, being captured during
the Battle of Fossalta (1249). The decline began due to the
battles between factions with origins from the Nobles of Pepoli
(1337-1350), the Visconti and the Bentivoglio (1401-1506).
With Pope Giulio II (1506), the City passed into the hands
of the Church; from 1796 it enjoyed ten years of Republican
Freedom (Repubblica Cosalpina and Cispadana and Repubblica
Italiana during the Napoleonic period), therefore returning
to Papal dominium and in 1860 it was joined in under the Italian
Government.
The Roman structure of the city was erased by adjustments
which came about during Medieval times and recognizable only
in the centre. The traces of medieval roads, which begin at
the centre and spread out towards the doors of the old wall,
still constitute the main structure of the City today.
The City took on its characteristic look during the 11th and
12th Centuries, with its first: noble two-floored houses,
containing typical wooden projections supported by girders
and trunks and by brackets and shelves; also by the presence
of the famous 180 towers (a huge number in proportion to the
spread of the habitation). Those who are missing are remembered
by the towers of Garisendi and Asinelli; the second one being
constructed in 1109 by Gherardo Asinelli, elegantly and prodigiously
intact in its 97,6 metres in height.
On the facades and in the courtyards of the mansions, terracotta
was mainly used, with its warm colours blending in well with
those of the brickwork. During the 12th and 13th Centuries,
the projections of the most frequented houses jutted out as
porches; these same low porches of these medieval houses,
gave Bologna a typical look, which it has maintained over
the centuries. The porches of via Santo Stefano are very impressive
with their luminous arches opening out towards the homonymous
church, the most famous Roman complex of the City, which also
contains the Cloister, the Blessed Sepulchre, Paleo-Christian
and pre-Roman Cathedrals.
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