Guidebook for Bologna
Sightseeing
It may seem as though everyone in Bologna were meeting friends at the same time in these two adjoining squares in the heart of the city. Conversation and laughter blend with the sound of water splashing in the magnificent Neptune Fountain that gives Piazza del Nettuno its name. Created by Giambologna in the 16th century, it is one of the finest fountains of its period. Nearly every major attraction in the city is within a few minutes' walk, and the most important streets - among them the busy shopping street, Via dell'Indipendenza, and Via Galleria with its many old aristocratic mansions. Elegantly arcaded Via dell'Archiginnasio runs alongside the great Basilica of San Petronius; its still u
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Piazza Maggiore
Piazza MaggioreIt may seem as though everyone in Bologna were meeting friends at the same time in these two adjoining squares in the heart of the city. Conversation and laughter blend with the sound of water splashing in the magnificent Neptune Fountain that gives Piazza del Nettuno its name. Created by Giambologna in the 16th century, it is one of the finest fountains of its period. Nearly every major attraction in the city is within a few minutes' walk, and the most important streets - among them the busy shopping street, Via dell'Indipendenza, and Via Galleria with its many old aristocratic mansions. Elegantly arcaded Via dell'Archiginnasio runs alongside the great Basilica of San Petronius; its still u
Arts & Culture
When construction of the massive church that dominates one side of Piazza Maggiorebegan in 1390, it was designed to be even bigger than St. Peter's in Rome, but never quite made it. In fact, it was never finished, and the facade remains incomplete. In the tiny museum at the back of the church, you can see the designs that were submitted for the facade, including those by the great architect Andrea Palladio. The interior, which was finished, is often referred to as the epitome of Gothic architecture in Italy, and each of the side chapels seems like a small church. Look for the strange line cutting across the floor of the nave; it is a meridian line.
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Basílica de São Petrônio
5 Piazza GalvaniWhen construction of the massive church that dominates one side of Piazza Maggiorebegan in 1390, it was designed to be even bigger than St. Peter's in Rome, but never quite made it. In fact, it was never finished, and the facade remains incomplete. In the tiny museum at the back of the church, you can see the designs that were submitted for the facade, including those by the great architect Andrea Palladio. The interior, which was finished, is often referred to as the epitome of Gothic architecture in Italy, and each of the side chapels seems like a small church. Look for the strange line cutting across the floor of the nave; it is a meridian line.
Bologna has a pair of towers that appear to tilt even more alarmingly because of their narrow shape. They are the best-known of the 20 towers that remain of the more than 100 that formed Bologna's 12th-century skyline. Although they were necessary as both watchtowers and places of refuge in case of attack, their height also became status symbols for the noble families that built them. The 48-meter Torre Garisenda leans by more than 13 meters; you can climb the 498 steps inside Torre degli Asinelli for birds-eye views of Bologna.
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Two Towers
Piazza di Porta RavegnanaBologna has a pair of towers that appear to tilt even more alarmingly because of their narrow shape. They are the best-known of the 20 towers that remain of the more than 100 that formed Bologna's 12th-century skyline. Although they were necessary as both watchtowers and places of refuge in case of attack, their height also became status symbols for the noble families that built them. The 48-meter Torre Garisenda leans by more than 13 meters; you can climb the 498 steps inside Torre degli Asinelli for birds-eye views of Bologna.
The Pinacoteca has a unique mission: to preserve and display works by artists who have lived and worked in Bologna and the Emilia-Romagna region, especially from the 13th to early 19th centuries. Some of the works have histories of their own, rescued from churches that were closed or turned to other uses, or finally returned to Bologna after Napoleon I carried them off to the Louvre in Paris.
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Pinacoteca Nacional
56 Via delle Belle ArtiThe Pinacoteca has a unique mission: to preserve and display works by artists who have lived and worked in Bologna and the Emilia-Romagna region, especially from the 13th to early 19th centuries. Some of the works have histories of their own, rescued from churches that were closed or turned to other uses, or finally returned to Bologna after Napoleon I carried them off to the Louvre in Paris.
Shopping
Via dell'Indipendenza
Via dell'IndipendenzaParks & Nature
It is the largest and certainly the most popular city park. It was designed by the Piedmontese Sambuy to provide Bologna with an ample green and public place as in other Italian and European cities. It was opened in 1879 with the name of “Passeggio Regina Margherita” ( as a tribute to the wife of King Umberto I).
During the works were found in the area some Etruscan sepulchres; now it is possible to admire a fine Travertine grave at the edge of the central lawn.
On the south side of the lake it is possible to see a short open-air section of the ancient Savena canal (1176), one of the waterway which once characterised the city.
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Giardini Margherita station
It is the largest and certainly the most popular city park. It was designed by the Piedmontese Sambuy to provide Bologna with an ample green and public place as in other Italian and European cities. It was opened in 1879 with the name of “Passeggio Regina Margherita” ( as a tribute to the wife of King Umberto I).
During the works were found in the area some Etruscan sepulchres; now it is possible to admire a fine Travertine grave at the edge of the central lawn.
On the south side of the lake it is possible to see a short open-air section of the ancient Savena canal (1176), one of the waterway which once characterised the city.
Essentials
Carrefour Express - Supermercato
2 Via Giuseppe MassarentiSupermarket
Farmacia di Porta San Vitale
126 Via S. VitalePharmacy
Ospedale Sant'Orsola - Malpighi, Padiglione 1
9 Via Pelagio PalagiFood Scene
Mordi e Fuggi
20b Via Giuseppe Massarenti2 minutes walk from the apartment
Ristorante Cesarina
19/b Via Santo Stefano2 minutes walk