LANDMARKS
Fontana del Nettuno
Artwork
ABOUT
The Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune), made of marble and bronze, was built between 1563 and 1566 by the Flemish sculptor Giambologna.
It is a symbol of the power of the Pope who ruled the world like Neptune ruled the seas. At the feet of the statue, in fact, lie four little angels, representing Gange, the Nile, the Amazon and Danube, i.e. the rivers of the continents known at the time.
Few people know that the famous car brand Maserati was inspired by statue for the realization of its logo.
ACCESS
Free
REVIEW
LOCATION
P.za Aldrovandi
Street
Teatro Anatomico
Worth To See
ABOUT
The Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio is completely carved from spruce with its imposing marble table still in position before the teacher’s chair.
The hall, called "theatre" because of its amphitheatre-like shape, was designed in 1637 for the anatomical lessons and it was built by the Bolognese architect Antonio Paolucci.
The hall was covered in spruce wood and decorated with two orders of statues depicting twelve famous physicians and, at the top, there are twenty of the most famous anatomists of the Bolognese Studio.
ACCESS
3 EUR
REVIEW
LOCATION
Le Due Torri
Historical Building
ABOUT
At 97.2 meters, the "Torre degli Asinelli" is the tallest leaning medieval tower in the world. It was built between 1109 and 1119 and is one of the twenty towers that have survived the centuries.
The "Torre degli Asinelli" has a little sister, the "Torre Garisenda". The pair of towers is a universally recognized symbol of the city.
They had a military function (signalling and defence) as well as representing, with their grandeur, the social prestige of the Asinelli family that had them built.
ACCESS
5 EUR
REVIEW
LOCATION
Basilica di San Petronio
Religious Building
ABOUT
The fifth largest church in the world and houses the longest indoor sundial in the world.
Its construction began in 1390 under the supervision of Antonio di Vincenzo. The façade remained unfinished, being only partly covered in marble by Giacomo Ranuzzi starting from 1538.
In the IV Chapel, completely frescoed by Giovanni da Modena, are represented episodes of the life of St. Petronio, paradise and hell. The figure of Mohammed appears in hell.
ACCESS
Basilica: Free
Terrace: 5 EUR
Cappella dei Re Magi: 3 EUR
REVIEW
LOCATION
Cattedrale M. di San Pietro
Religious Building
ABOUT
It is the city's cathedral and was given the title of “Metropolitan” in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII who provided the Bologna dioceses with an archbishop.
The bell tower houses the “Nonna“, this is the name of the ancient bell dating back to 1594 with a weight of 33 quintals. La Nonna is accompanied by three other bells but it is not often used because, to make them play together, more than 23 people would be needed!
ACCESS
Cathedral: Free
Treasury: By Reservation
Bell Tower: 5 EUR
REVIEW
LOCATION
Finestrella
Worth To See
ABOUT
It is a famous window on the Canale delle Moline and the bridge, both overlooking the canal. This corner of the city is known as "Little Venice".
ACCESS
Free
REVIEW
LOCATION
Ghetto Ebraico
Region / Quarter
ABOUT
The Jewish ghetto of Bologna: the absence of traffic in the narrow streets and the careful restoration of the buildings gives this area the characteristic medieval flavor.
The urban layout has remained the typical one of the ancient Ghetto. Houses very close to each other, separated by lanes, covered balconies and decks, small windows and many doors facing the streets, some of which are false entrances to distract from the real ones in a more hidden position.
Jews were separated from the rest of the population in 1555, by the will of Pope Paul IV. They were confined to a neighborhood with guarded entrances which were closed at sunset. One of the accesses is well distinguishable today: the archway from via del Carro to via Zamboni.
ACCESS
Free
REVIEW
LOCATION
Mercato delle Erbe
Farmers Market
ABOUT
Mercato delle Erbe is the largest covered market in the historical city center, where it is possible to buy fruits and vegetables, meat, cheese, wine, and much more.
In 2014 some areas of the market were transformed into a food court.
ACCESS
Free
REVIEWS
LOCATION
Mercato di Mezzo
Food Hall / Court
ABOUT
After the Unification of Italy, Mercato di Mezzo was transformed into the city’s first covered market and, after the redevelopment of 2014, it is now a place where one can purchase or eat food and wine products and delicacies.
ACCESS
Free
REVIEW
LOCATION
Piazza Maggiore
Square / Fountain
ABOUT
Piazza Maggiore is the main square of Bologna and, is surrounded by the most important buildings of the medieval city, of which we can mention Palazzo del Podestà, Palazzo d’Accursio, Palazzo dei Notai, Basilica of San Petronio and Palazzo dei Banchi.
ACCESS
Free
REVIEW
LOCATION
Piazza Santo Stefano
Square / Fountain
ABOUT
Piazza Santo Stefano is one of the symbolic places of Bologna, commonly considered a square, even if it is actually an open space originating from Via Santo Stefano and leading to the complex that bears the same name, also known as the “Seven Churches”.
ACCESS
Free
REVIEW
LOCATION
Portici di Bologna
Worth To See
ABOUT
Inscribed as UNESCO “world heritage site", the porticoes of Bologna, almost 62 km long of which 40 km in the city centre, make the city of Bologna truly unique.
The origins of Bologna’s porticoes can be traced back to the Middle Ages, in the years around 1100, when Bologna became an independent Comune and the University, the first in the Western world, was founded. These important developments began to attract new residents from the countryside, and students and professors from all over Europe. The need to create new residential and commercial spaces led the Bolognesi to find an ingenious solution: to create additional space starting from the first floor of the houses by extending the buildings outwards. The ledge that was created was supported by pillars, and a sequence of pillars created a portico.
ACCESS
Free
REVIEW
DGFF
LOCATION
Google Maps
Quadrilatero
Region / Quarter
Via Drapperie
Street
Whispering Walls
Worth To See
Gelato University & Museum
Concept Museum
L'Ombra di Lucio Dalla
Artwork
Mercato Artigianale
Bazaar / Gift / Flea Market
Mercato Ritrovato
Food Hall / Court
Museo Civico Archeologico
History / Archeology Museum
Museo D'Arte Moderna di B.
Modern / Art Museum
Museo di Zoologia
Concept Museum
ABOUT
Museo di Zoologia belonging to the University of Bologna, is Italy's largest and most important. It was created in 1860
The original nucleus of the collection consists of the gathering of the collection of the 16th century of naturalist Ulisse Aldrovandi and finds of Cospi and Marsili, gathered during the 18th century in the Institute of Sciences.
ACCESS
Free
REVIEW
LOCATION
Museum for the M. of Ustica
Concept Museum
Orto Botanico
Zoo / Natural Park
Palazzo Poggi Museum
Concept Museum
Pinacoteca Nazionale
Modern / Art Museum
Saint Catherine of Bologna
Worth To See
Santuario M. di San Luca
Religious Building
Statua di Lucio Dalla
Artwork
Basilica Santo Stefano
Religious Building
ABOUT
The Basilica of Santo Stefano is mostly known as complex “sette chiese” (seven churches) because it is the merger of multiple buildings erected in different eras.
ACCESS
Free Donation
REVIEW
LOCATION
Oratorio Dei Battuti
Religious Building
Palazzo Grassi
Worth To See
Palazzo Isolani
Historical Building