The world's most goliardic university
Updated on 17 February 2026 From Karoline Villacidro
The university student pranks (goliardia) in Bologna is one of the oldest and most fascinating student traditions in Italy. From the historic feluca, a symbol of belonging to the University of Bologna, to the famous Freshers’ Festival (Festa delle Matricole), the city preserves rituals, pranks and ceremonies that tell centuries of academic life. A unique cultural heritage that still today involves both students and citizens.
Discover who the Bolognese goliards are and what history connects them to the oldest university in the Western world:
The "feluca" and university goliardia in Bologna
From the type of feluca you wear, it is possible to understand which faculty you belong to and how many years you have been enrolled at the University of Bologna. This historic hat, enriched with fringes, pins, braids and other accessories, says a great deal about the student who wears it and the respect they deserve.
Bologna and the birth of university goliardia
Not everyone knows that Bologna holds the distinction of being the city where university goliardia was born. From this tradition came the creation of a true order, the Fittone, which welcomes new members every year among the freshmen.
Freshmen are often subjected to unexpected challenges such as “mock lectures or exams” which, with the collaboration of professors, require them to take surprise tests in order to be admitted to their faculties.
The result?Those who pass the trials officially become part of the student community - often living away from home - and meet new friends, future accomplices in playful pranks and harmless transgressions.
Historic pranks of Bolognese goliardia
Among the order’s historic pranks is the “Climb of Via Rizzoli”, a playful feat carried out in 1964 by the Balla Bolognese (one of the goliardic Corporations) as a joke on the citizens.
The challenge consisted of crossing Via Rizzoli - the central street leading to the Two Towers - horizontally, crawling along the ground and drinking wine at each designated doorway along the route.
Needless to say, the crowd of curious onlookers watched the stunt in astonishment and amusement!
Festa delle Matricole and the Liberatio Scholarum
Then there is the Festa delle Matricole, a three-day celebration involving the entire city through ceremonies, music, parades and competitions of all kinds.
During the festival takes place the Liberatio Scholarum, a moment when senior members of the Fittone meet high school students, symbolically “freeing” them from their teachers to give them a taste of the freedom awaiting them at university.
No one is left behind, and everyone finds space for fun and shared celebration!
Photo by Il Fittone
Frequently out and about in search of curiosities and unpublished facts to tell. I love typical cuisine, unplanned trips and plants, even if they don't love me back. I have been writing for bolognawelcome.com since 2021.
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