Often cited as one of Italy’s premier food cities, Bologna is rich with culinary tradition in past and present. The city is nicknamed la grassa (“the fat”) for its emphasis on meat and dairy products, which come from the fertile Po River Valley nearby. Bologna has produced a number of Italy’s most famous dishes—not just the bolognese.

Known variously as la grassa (the fat), la dotta (the learned), and la rossa (the red), Bologna is famous throughout Italy for its rich cuisine, vibrant academic culture, and distinctive architecture defined by its 24 miles (38 kilometers) of porticoes and numerous medieval towers.