When interviewed about his bond with the University of Bologna, Umberto Eco used the following words:
“In my students’ dissertations, I often found quotes from the theses that other students were writing at the
time. (...) These students wandered under the porticoes at night and went to bars to tell each other what
they were studying (...). This is one of the most beautiful aspects of the University of Bologna: the taverns
and the porticoes”.
Eco describes his University as an ancient institution that is, at the same time, young, because its students
bring it to life by taking it outside of the buildings when they discuss their ideas over a drink or while walking
under the city’s porticoes.
It is the arrival of students, attracted since 1088 by the famous Studiorum, that led to the construction of
Bologna’s famous porticoes: to grant them a Domus, that is, a home, the houses’ upper floors were extended
by adding balconies initially supported by wooden beams. It is still possible to see these ancient Medieval
porticoes, with the irregular surfaces of their dark wood, while walking along via Mascarella or Strada
Maggiore.
Over the centuries, the wood turned into stone, becoming the network of covered walkways that connects
neighborhoods, shops, and people still today.
We take inspiration from the porticoes of Bologna, which embody so much history and meaning, to present
our two new creations of LA DOTTA collection: Domus and Studiorum.
The special, hand-made milling on their surface follows the motifs of the raw wood used for the first
porticoes, whereas their colours refer to the contrast between light and darkness that characterizes these
structures after sunset.
The yellow light of the porticoes contrasts the black sky of the night while offering a safe guide home.
Its vivid, artificial color not only illuminates our steps but teases our eyes, drawing geometric shapes through
the shadows of those arcades that, slowly, lead us to our destination.

LA DOTTA Domus – hand milled black, handcrafted in 219 pieces
LA DOTTA Studiorum – hand milled yellow, handcrafted in 219 pieces

“Often, at two in the morning, returning to my accommodation, in Bologna, through these long porticoes, (...)
walking in front of those buildings of which, with its large shadows, the moon drew the masses, I happened
to stop, oppressed by happiness, to tell myself: How beautiful! “

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