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What to see in Bologna
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Piazza
Maggiore ? Giardini Margherita
This tour begins at Piazza Maggiore, which until 1200 was
the focal point of the city?s religious and political
life.
Amidst the majestic Medieval palaces on the Piazza stands
the unfinished Basilica di San Petronio. Dedicated to the
patron saint of the city, it was designed by Antonio di
Vincenzo and construction work began on it in 1390.
Ironically, its unfinished fa?de makes it unique. Its
marble base is a true masterpiece of pre-Renaissance
sculpture. The columns on the main portal and the statues of
Saint Petronio and the Madonna and Child on the lunette were
done by Jacopo della Quercia, while the smaller doors were
created by Amico Aspertini, Alfonso Lombardi and Giacomo
Silla amongst others.
The interior of the basilica is extremely light and
spacious. It is dominated by the pink tones of its brick
pilasters. The basilica?s twenty two chapels contain a
considerable artistic heritage.
In front of the basilica, you will see the meridian line
drawn by Gian Domenico Cassini in 1655. You will also see
the Palazzo del Podest?which was built in 1485 from a
design by Aristotele Fieravanti.
To the west of the piazza is the Palazzo Comunale or Palazzo
D?Accursio which is used by the civic administration.
Construction work began in 1287 and it was built on the site
of the D?Accursio houses. Its fa?de is adorned with a
beautiful sandstone portal (created by Galeazzo Alessi in
1550) and a terracotta Madonna scultped by Niccol?
dell?Arca in 1478. The bronze statue of Pope Gregorio XIII
Boncompagni on the portal was created by Alessandro Menganti
in 1576.
The roof of the Palazzo Communale is embellished with Guelph
and Ghibelline battlements. Inside, are the sumptuous rooms
of the Papal Legate?s former appartments. These contain
the precious Civic Art Collection . The Museo Morandi is
also housed inside this palace.
Also on the piazza are the Palazzo dei Banchi, the Palazzo
dei Notai, the legendary Palazzo Re Enzo and the famous
Neptune?s Fountain, which was designed by Giambologna and
Tommaso Laureti in 1563.
To the east of the basilica, along the right hand side is
the Portico del Pavaglione, beneath which you will see the
ancient Ospedale della Morte ? which today houses the
Archaeological Museum and the Archiginnasio ? which is
famous for the seven thousand heraldic coats of arms which
have been painted on its interior walls.
Beside Palazzo dei Banchi lies the tangled street network of
the mercato di mezzo, where the streets have all retained
the names of the ancient Corporations of the Arts.
If you leave Piazza Maggiore and cross Via Rizzoli via Via
Oberdan, you will reach the Jewish Ghetto where the new
Jewish Museum was opened in 1999.
If you walk away from the Ghetto down Via Rizzoli, you will
be able to admire the beauty of the historic Due Torri di
Bologna (?Two Towers?). The highest ? which is known
as Torre degli Asinelli - measures 97m while the Torre
pendente della Garisenda is no higher than 48.16m.
Head towards the famous Piazza Santo Stefano, with a short
stop to take in the Palazzo della Mercanzia. This enchanting
piazza houses the legendary Complesso Basilicale Stefaniano
which was founded by Petronio ? the city?s patron saint.
This religious complex (made up of seven churches) is unique
as it was built on the remains of an ancient Pagan temple
dedicated to the Goddess Iside.
Turn down Via Santo Stefano, and you will be able to see the
beautiful church of San Giovanni in Monte. At the bottom of
Via Santo Stefano, turn onto Via Dante which will lead you
to Piazza Carducci where you will see Casa di Giosu?
Carducci (house of the poet Giosu?Carducci), the Museum
of the Risorgimento and a monument dedicated to the
poet.
Continue down the street and you will get to the church of
Madonna del Baraccano which was built just behind the
ancient city walls. Finally, stop off for lunch or simply an
ice cream at Giardini Margherita.
Strada Maggiore ? Via Irnerio
This tour starts on the roads which lead from the city
centre out to the periphery.
Along Strada Maggiore stand many important palaces built for
the city?s nobility including the eighteenth century
Palazzo Davia Bargellini (better known as ?Palazzo dei
Giganti?) which houses the Museum of Industrial Arts.
Opposite Palazzo Davia Bargellini stands the Santa Maria dei
Servi church which was built in the fourteenth century.
If you continue down to the bottom of Strada Maggiore, you
will get to Via Fondazza - the legendary street on which
Giorgio Morandi lived.
Leave Strada Maggiore and head towards Piazza Aldrovandi ?
this should take you down Via San Vitale. You will pass a
Romanesque church dedicated to the early Bolognese martyrs -
Santi Vitale e Agricola, as well as the beautiful Palazzo
Fantuzzi (characterised by its door-less rock fa?de and
the eighteenth century Palazzo Hercolani - the ancient
senatorial residence which now houses the Faculty of
Political Science.
From Via San Vitale, you will reach Piazza Rossini which is
dominated by the Romaneque fa?de of the single-spired San
Giacomo Maggiore Church . The piazza also houses the Musical
Conservatory where Rossini and Donizzeti once taught.
Beneath the beautiful portico on the right hand side of the
San Giacomo Maggiore Church, you will find the partially
hidden Santa Cecilia Oratory which contains frescoes of
equal value to those in the Sistine Chapel in Rome.
On Via Zamboni, you can visit the beautiful Palazzi Magnani
and Malvezzi Campeggi. Continue down Via Zamboni and you
will get to the Teatro Comunale and the heart of Bologna?s
university district. You can also visit Palazzo Poggi, the
Aula Carducci, the ?Specola?, the Museum of Astronomy,
the Naval Museum, the Academic Museum and several others.
Continue walking and head towards the National Gallery - a
must for all art lovers.
At the bottom of Via Zamboni, you will see the Museum of
Paleontology and the Museum of Mineralogy. Continue down Via
Irnerio where you will be able to visit the ?Erbario?,
the Botanical Gardens and the Museum of Anatomy.
Via Indipendenza ? Colle della Guardia
Via Indipendenza links the train station to the historic
city centre. Here you will see the Porta Galliera and, on
the left, the remains of the notorious Rocca di Galliera
(the former papal residence). Also on the left of Via
Indipendenza stands the beautiful stairway leading to
Montagnola Park where an uninterrupted series of porticos
leads to the monumental Metropolitana di San Pietro. This
church of considerable proportions is characterised by its
imposing fa?de designed by the architect Alfonso
Torreggiani in 1743. The inside of the thirteenth century
bell tower houses an ancient round bell in the Romanesque
style.
Via Manzoni opens up on the right hand side, and here you
will see the Fava Ghisilieri and Fava Ghisilardi Palaces
which now house the Medieval Museum. Opposite the palaces
stands the beautiful Madonna della Galliera Church which has
a unique sandstone fa?de decorated with statues. At the
bottom of Via Manzoni, you will reach Via Galliera and a
succession of beautiful palaces built for the nobility.
Now turn towards Via Ugo Bassi and stop outside the San
Francesco church on Piazza Malpighi. This magnificent
thirteenth century church has retained its Romanesque fa?de,
but its interior is testament to the French Gothic
influence. The side of the church which gives out onto the
piazza is embellished by the presence of several beautiful
arches. The church?s two bell towers are also charming
from an architectural point of view. The larger of these is
attributed to Antonio di Vincenzo, who was also responsible
for the constuction of the San Petronio Basilica.
Leave Piazza Malpighi and continue down Via Barberia until
you reach the Synagogue.
Via Barberia leads to Via Carbonesi and along the way, you
will be able to see the seventeenth century church of San
Paolo which was designed by Giovanni Ambrogio Mazenta. You
will then reach the Collegio di Spagna which has a beautiful
courtyard facing the bell tower of the little church of San
Clemente. Closed in behind crenellated walls, the college
? and fortress ? was built on the orders of Cardinale
D?Albornoz as a place of refuge for Spanish students.
The winding road running between Via Barberia and Via
Collegio di Spagna will lead to the Roman Theatre which is
surrounded by a modern building containing shops. The Roman
Theatre is thought to have been built at the time of the
Empire. It was only discovered as a result of excavation
work which was carried out in order to construct a new
building. It was felt that such a rare archaeological find
could not be given up for the sake of a new building, and
therefore it was decided to keep both constructions side by
side. The results are those of a feat of ?modern
archaeological engineering? and therefore very
interesting. The only small drawback is that the opening
hours of the shops also determine the times you can visit
the Roman Theatre.
You should now proceed in the direction of Via Saragozza,
passing the gateway of the same name. Steel yourself for a
long walk, punctuated by 666 porticos which will eventually
lead you to the Madonna di San Luca Sanctaury which is
perched elegantly on the summit of the della Guardia Hills.
This walk (around three kilometres long) is usually done by
pilgrims, but it is also recommended as good exercise, with
a beautiful panoramic view at the top as a reward. Every
year, in the month of May, there is a procession up this
hill in honour of the legendary Madonna of San Luca. She is
prayed to for protection against inclement weather and bad
harvests.
Continue walking and head towards the National Gallery - a
must for all art lovers.
At the bottom of Via Zamboni, you will see the Museum of
Paleontology and the Museum of Mineralogy. Continue down Via
Irnerio where you will be able to visit the ?Erbario?,
the Botanical Gardens and the Museum of Anatomy.
Via Indipendenza ? Colle della Guardia
Via Indipendenza links the train station to the historic
city centre. Here you will see the Porta Galliera and, on
the left, the remains of the notorious Rocca di Galliera
(the former papal residence). Also on the left of Via
Indipendenza stands the beautiful stairway leading to
Montagnola Park where an uninterrupted series of porticos
leads to the monumental Metropolitana di San Pietro. This
church of considerable proportions is characterised by its
imposing fa?de designed by the architect Alfonso
Torreggiani in 1743. The inside of the thirteenth century
bell tower houses an ancient round bell in the Romanesque
style.
Via Manzoni opens up on the right hand side, and here you
will see the Fava Ghisilieri and Fava Ghisilardi Palaces
which now house the Medieval Museum. Opposite the palaces
stands the beautiful Madonna della Galliera Church which has
a unique sandstone fa?de decorated with statues. At the
bottom of Via Manzoni, you will reach Via Galliera and a
succession of beautiful palaces built for the nobility.
Now turn towards Via Ugo Bassi and stop outside the San
Francesco church on Piazza Malpighi. This magnificent
thirteenth century church has retained its Romanesque fa?de,
but its interior is testament to the French Gothic
influence. The side of the church which gives out onto the
piazza is embellished by the presence of several beautiful
arches. The church?s two bell towers are also charming
from an architectural point of view. The larger of these is
attributed to Antonio di Vincenzo, who was also responsible
for the constuction of the San Petronio Basilica.
Leave Piazza Malpighi and continue down Via Barberia until
you reach the Synagogue.
Via Barberia leads to Via Carbonesi and along the way, you
will be able to see the seventeenth century church of San
Paolo which was designed by Giovanni Ambrogio Mazenta. You
will then reach the Collegio di Spagna which has a beautiful
courtyard facing the bell tower of the little church of San
Clemente. Closed in behind crenellated walls, the college
? and fortress ? was built on the orders of Cardinale
D?Albornoz as a place of refuge for Spanish students.
The winding road running between Via Barberia and Via
Collegio di Spagna will lead to the Roman Theatre which is
surrounded by a modern building containing shops. The Roman
Theatre is thought to have been built at the time of the
Empire. It was only discovered as a result of excavation
work which was carried out in order to construct a new
building. It was felt that such a rare archaeological find
could not be given up for the sake of a new building, and
therefore it was decided to keep both constructions side by
side. The results are those of a feat of ?modern
archaeological engineering? and therefore very
interesting. The only small drawback is that the opening
hours of the shops also determine the times you can visit
the Roman Theatre.
You should now proceed in the direction of Via Saragozza,
passing the gateway of the same name. Steel yourself for a
long walk, punctuated by 666 porticos which will eventually
lead you to the Madonna di San Luca Sanctaury which is
perched elegantly on the summit of the della Guardia Hills.
This walk (around three kilometres long) is usually done by
pilgrims, but it is also recommended as good exercise, with
a beautiful panoramic view at the top as a reward. Every
year, in the month of May, there is a procession up this
hill in honour of the legendary Madonna of San Luca. She is
prayed to for protection against inclement weather and bad
harvests.
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