Bologna

Bologna’s city center retains medieval and Renaissance architecture and construction, still very much used and vibrant. Built in the 1100s, the Two Towers are survivors of what used to be more than 100 such towers, remnants of the city’s competing wealthy families. Bologna contains almost 40 miles of porticoes, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Beginning 1000 years ago, porticoes were used to expand a building’s living space without encroaching on established streets.