adevarul.ro/stil-de-viata/magazin/adevaratul-manha

Bologna, an Italian city, was the first in history to feature skyscrapers, predating American examples by over seven centuries. During the 12th and 13th centuries, it thrived as a cultural and commercial hub in Europe, boasting a unique architectural landscape filled with tall towers. The city was home to wealthy merchant families and the prestigious University of Bologna, founded in 1088, which contributed to its intellectual prominence. Bologna's skyline, characterized by numerous stone towers, symbolized the wealth and ambition of its inhabitants, making it a medieval 'Manhattan' and a center of innovation and trade.