Edgy Dolce Vita

Looking at Bologna

Alessandra Aghilaralmalu's Place

When I was a kid I always thought I would have ended up living in Bologna. Its vitality and the fact that it is mainly populated by young students and people coming from all over Italy to study in Europe's oldest University, had a great appeal on me. La rossa (which means the red, because of the fact that its buildings are made of red bricks), has a lovely medieval cityscape, whose heart is Piazza Maggiore, where every city tour should start from. From the Piazza you can visit the fifth largest basilica in the world, San Petronio. Then you can have a walk through Via Rizzoli, towards the two famous Renaissance towers. And from there you cannot miss a visit to Basilica Santo Stefano, originally made of seven churches, one built in the other (now only four remain). I finally made it to Bologna in 2008, when I moved for my job, and I love it. Bologna is a combo of Italian glamour and edgy undercurrent, combining beautiful sightseeing and kilometers of porticoes, monuments, museums and theatres with its cool clubs, restaurants, shops and art galleries. The city is also one of Italy's culinary capitals and you cannot leave without tasting its famous tortellini, mortadella and tigelle and crescentine.

Paradiso

Confezioni

Abacanto Home

Via del Luzzo 4/c Bologna

A lovely concept store in the heart of the city centre. Angela, its owner, chooses quirky and beautiful pieces form brands from the North of Europe, such as Society, Sabre, Ferm Living...

All of her pieces were found and discovered by Angela during her travels around the world. And when she finally found the perfect little corner in town she made her dream of sharing her passion for interior design true.

Confezioni Paradiso

Via dell'Inferno 12, Bologna

Emanuela Paradiso, the owner of this lovely bottega, creates and sells embroidered objects that are midway between graphic and modern illustrations and granny's tablecloths.

Her illustrations and design are fresh, essential and simple and were born from childhood memories translated on recycled fabrics, giving life to beautiful creations for the girls, the kids and the house.

Fabrica

Mixing and sharing is a way to promote each other and generate creativity. This is the philosophy behind this cool shop, full of eye-candy, colorful and witty pieces from Japan, France, Austria and more...

Mirna Vintage

Zoo

Strada Maggiore 50/a Bologna

ZOO is a 360° design project that combines, in one place, a fashion atelier, a food design laboratory, a graphic art bookstore and a gallery.

Strada Maggiore 7/e Bologna

The shop also has an entire corner dedicated to Lomography, and it is a must go for all passionate about analogue film photography.

If you are looking for one of a kind treasures from the 50s or 60s then this is the place! Mirna selects amazing clothing and accessories from all over the world.

Here you can find feminine cardis and jackets, quick escape coats and unmissable party dresses.

The aim of ZOO is to promote artisans and their little businesses, picking pieces recognised for their esthetic taste, simplicity and original use of color.

Moustache

A hipster and edgy osteria, where you can taste traditional dishes, such as tortellini and crescentine, in a cool environment.

The local restaurant is decorated with thrifted finds and handmade creations. On the wall, quirky illustrations and vintage movie posters.

A must stop before or after movies (the place is located next to a cinema!).

Via Mascarella 5/a Bologna

Fresh and local products, local ingredients and taste translated in a modern cafè, inspired by famous American coffee shops.

Largo Respighi 2 Bologna

Here you can have delicious muffins and donuts for breakfast along with real espresso and cappuccino or

American style long coffees.

For lunch you can enjoy tasty sandwiches or soups made with fresh and seasonal ingredients.