Empty in the mornings and boiling with life at night ... in these places do not dream to sleep well, for that you can count on a great party. Student cities have a special infrastructure - there are many bicycles, small noisy bars and a surprisingly light atmosphere. Traveling to such places is charged with positive energy and a nostalgic smile. I have compiled a list of 10 student cities not to be missed.

 

1. Ghent, Belgium

 

“The city of paradoxes and stubbornness” - this characteristic is the best suited for the Flemish settlement lined with channels with 45,000 students living here. It is the most famous and most charismatic student city in Europe, which “grew up” from a 9th century fortress built around the abbey to protect against Viking raids. For centuries, local authorities developed uneasy relations with the church and the nobility. The student city is a powder warehouse, instantly exploding from any spark due to the rebellious spirit of its inhabitants. Despite the many internal and external conflicts, Ghent retained a surprisingly harmonious and holistic image, recognized by National Geographic as the third highest authenticator in the world. In this glorious place, just half an hour from the capital of Belgium, you can taste beer in special flasks on wooden stands, dried pork, and Gents cheese, especially loved by students, with cumin.

 

2. Salamanca, Spain

 

Here is one of the oldest universities in the world, founded in the 13th century. From the moment the school opened, the prestige and wealth of the city grew at a staggering pace, until Salamanca became the second largest city in Spain. Here studied Christopher Columbus and other glorious men who changed the course of world history. The narrow streets of the center are full of great bars, such as Erasmus (a favorite place for lecturers). A special feature of the inhabitants of the “golden city” is the lightness of character and goodwill. And if the waiter or the seller is not friendly with you - take a picture of him, because this is the only gloomy Salamanca resident.

 

3. Bolonia, Italy

 

The oldest university in the world of uninterrupted functioning began its existence in the 10th century as a school of "liberal arts", where rhetoric and Roman law were taught. Due to the human tendency to conflict, the first institutions of higher education throughout the world appeared to produce “legists” who could resolve contradictions without bloodshed. The flourishing of the University of Bologna began in 1088, when noble families began to send their heirs here (arcades inside the main building are still decorated with their emblems). With wide popularity due to the exceptional faculty, the University accepted all comers on equal terms. It doesn't matter who you are - the son of an artisan or a count - you need to have knowledge in order to study in the Bologna school. Like many years ago, roasted chestnuts, which are especially popular in the winter, are sold on the streets around the main building to warm your hands. Be sure to visit the young people’s favorite café Nutelleria (via Independenza 45), which serves pizza and hamburgers with world-famous chocolate and nut paste.

 

4. Heidelberg, Germany

Goethe, Osip Mandelstam, Mark Twain, Victor Hugo and many other great figures lived in this charming student city. To teach at the University founded in 1386 on the banks of the River Neckar was honored to be the best minds of the Old World. However, the alma mater is famous for not less famous graduates - Hegel, Jaspers, Helmut Kohl. Now 140 thousand people live in the city, most of which are students. The historic center of Heidelberg is considered one of the largest pedestrian areas in Europe and, without a doubt, the most beautiful. Judge for yourself - miraculously preserved after World War II historical buildings, almond and date trees, small cozy taverns where Schumann, Brahms, Berdyaev spent free minutes ...

 

5. Limerick, Ireland

 

The third largest city in Ireland is the first by number of students. Limerick appeared 3,000 years ago as a Viking colony and quickly became a major trading center due to its strategic position on the Shannon River. The University of Limerick was founded in 1972 and, due to its location on the territory of the famous European technology park, is considered the country's leading educational institution in conducting scientific research. Now the University is a full-fledged city of 133 hectares, with its own sports center, medical clinic and concert hall. Despite such a serious scale, here in Irish is fun and carefree, and the student pubs Dolans and Nancy Blakes never complain about the lack of visitors.