May 13, 2026 - Bologna

Balogna - May 13, 2026

Our Castle team did a Food tour in Bologna. We took the local Trainitalia train for about 2 hours from Villabartolomea to Balogna. It was fun. We got to see how Tortellini was made and we got to taste Tortellini in cheese soup made of "rind".  We tasted cured meat, cheese with aged balsamic, lasagna, and pasta with meat sauce. We walked through the fresh market, through the town to see towers and at least a leaning tower, and through the piazza with the Fountain of Neptune. We bought lots of food like cured meat and aged cheese from Bruno e Franco. The tour ended with yummy Gelato. We had a great time that day and our bellies were still filled up with yummy from Bologna during our casual dinner at the castle that day.

"Three T’s of Bologna are a classic Italian phrase that highlights the three things that define the city's unique history, food, and culture:

Torri (Towers): A tribute to Bologna's incredible medieval skyline. In the 12th century, wealthy families built over 100 stone towers as status symbols and fortresses. (There might be about 20 left today from about 180 back then.) Today, the famous "Two Towers" (Asinelli and Garisenda) still lean dramatically over the city center.  

Tortellini: The city's legendary ring-shaped egg pasta. Legend says the shape was inspired by the goddess Venus's belly button. They are traditionally stuffed with pork loin, prosciutto, mortadella, and parmesan, and served swimming in a rich meat broth.

Torrone (Nougat): The official third "T" stands for this traditional sweet, crunchy honey-and-nut nougat candy that is loved throughout the region.

 The Local Twist: If you ask a Bologna local, they will cheekily tell you that the third "T" stands for Tette (the Italian word for breasts)—a bit of famous local slang celebrating the warm, passionate, and welcoming nature of the city's people!  (or the Tette of the sea nymphs or mermaids riding dolphins at the Fountain of Neptune, located right in the main square.)"