Bologna Gay Travel Guide
About Bologna and its gay life
Bologna was founded by the Etruscans 2500 years ago. In the 13th century it became the sixth biggest city in Europe, and in the 15th century it was an important Italian Renaissance city. Today, Bologna is a major industrial center and transport hub in Italy and hosts some of the biggest and most prominent trade fairs and exhibitions in Europe. It is also the home of the famous Lamborghini and Maserati sports cars.
One of the main attractions that make Bologna a special place (and a dream for travellers who like to explore a city by strolling around its streets) are the arcades (›porticos‹) in the historical center of Bologna, totalling 38 kilometres. (Some excellent pictures wait for you on Flickr.)
But above all, today's face of Bologna is shaped by its university and its students.
Founded in 1088, the university is the oldest one in Europe.
And the 80000 students in the city represent a fifth of the total population of
Bologna. An evening in the lively student area around Piazza Guiseppe Verdi and
Via Zamboni is an experience not to miss!
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Bologna has also the most tolerant and open-minded atmosphere throughout Italy. One reason – beside the many students – is that Bologna had been ruled by the centre-left almost all the years after World War II. And although the gay scene in Bologna is quite ›concise‹ the local authorities afford a gay and lesbian center, the Cassero, that is unparalleled in Italy and even most of the gay hot-spots in Europe.
Like everywhere in Italy, a membership card is required for all gay saunas and cruising bars, usually the Arcigay UNO CLUB card. In Bologna, the Arcigay card is also required for the gay & lesbian center Cassero and for some of the gay parties. If you don't have an Arcigay card yet, you can usually acquire it at the entrance of the venues that require the card. (For foreigners it is 8 € for 3 months. When you acquire the card you need to show your photo ID card; after that you only need the membership card.)
Travel tip for Bologna
In case you travel around Northern Italy see also our gay travel guide for Florence, the famous Renaissance city just one hour south of Bologna.