Not many European cities have to see such a harmonious combination of modern achievements and historical monuments. The famous sights of Bologna silently tell about the glorious history of the city, which the locals are proud of. Considering that the city is associated with a fun student life, delicious Italian cuisine and special architecture, every tourist will find something to see in Bologna during their trip.
What to see in Bologna first of all
Since Bologna is a major transport hub, it is easy to get here by any type of transport. To see the interesting places of the city, any of them is good, the main thing is to set a goal.
1. The Fountain of Neptune
Neptune Fountain in front of the entrance to the Palazzo Re Enzo
Looking at the sights of Bologna on the Internet with photos with names and descriptions, you always pay attention to this giant, which the residents of the city are proud of. Majestically towering on the square with the same name, a bronze Neptune with a trident looks at passers-by. By the way, there is an opinion that the trident that God holds in his hands has become the prototype of the Maserati company logo. Because of the “naked” appearance of Neptune, the fountain is called “shameless”.
Official website: https://nettuno.comune .bologna.it
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2. Piazza Maggiore and Neptune
Piazza Maggiore and Neptune at night in the center of Bologna
Piazza Maggiore, founded in the XIII century, originally housed a market square, where, in addition to trade, jousting tournaments and mass celebrations were held. Laws and government decrees were read to people here. Today it is the ceremonial face of Bologna. It borders Neptune Square. On both squares there are several palazzos with magnificent architecture of historical value. There are excellent hotels in Bologna around, where guests are always welcome.
Official website: https://www.bolognawelcome.com
Official website: https://www.bolognawelcome.com
3. University Palace
The building of the Faculty of Law of the University of Bologna sailko
The palace has a rich history and is considered the oldest in Europe. A trip here will not be in vain – it’s worth seeing the luxurious interior decoration, which is decorated with a lecture hall, a reading room and many library halls. Be sure to take a look at the anatomical museum and the courtyard with commemorative inscriptions, coats of arms, emblems of students and teachers, which later became widely known. The exhibition of the Italian press with exhibits from the XVIII century is also interesting.
Official website: https://www.unibo.it
4. Azinelli and Garizenda Towers
Tall stone towers: Garizenda Tower on the left, Asinelli Tower on the right in the center of Bologna
These are the sights of Italy that need no introduction, although they have not yet achieved the fame of the Pisan “sister”. Garizenda, which is lower, is tilted more strongly, but Asinelli is almost twice as tall. The angle of inclination of the latter a little more than a degree would not be noticeable if this tower were low. At a height of 97 m, its top deviates from the center by more than 2 meters! The Garizenda deviation is slightly less. By the way, it was Garizenda that Dante mentioned in his Divine Comedy. There is a stunning view of the beauties of Bologna from above, but keep in mind that there is no elevator.
Official website: https://www.duetorribologna.com
5. Anatomical theater
Hall for anatomical lectures and screenings at the University of Bologna Rob Oo
Located on the territory of the University, the theater received the most worthy recommendations from tourists. The wooden interior with a marble table on which operations and scientific research were carried out, and the complete authenticity of the design fully convey the spirit of the Middle Ages. Today, lectures are given there for students, the library is equipped with modern equipment, which makes it possible to hold online conferences there.
See the beautiful places of Bologna in this wonderful video!
6. Independence Street
Shops in the open arched galleries of houses along Independence Street
What a journey without profitable and interesting shopping! The busiest street is full of shops and souvenir shops where you can choose everything you need for yourself and your friends if you think about gifts. The first floors of the buildings located on the streets are made in the form of arcades – arched galleries, a walk through which even a downpour will not spoil.
7. Palazzo Re Enzo
The facade of the Palace of King Enzo overlooks Piazza Maggiore in Bologna
The palace is shrouded in many mysteries and legends related to the name of Enzo, the son of the emperor, who was captured in the struggle for the papal throne. He was kept here as a prisoner until his death. For a long time, the palazzo served as a prison. The exterior of the building is very beautiful, inside the palazzo is decorated with ancient frescoes. The building is known for its strong acoustics, so even a whisper here sounds deafeningly loud.
Official website: https://www.palazzoreenzo.com
8. Palazzo Comunale
Palazzo Comunale or Palazzo d’Accursio in Piazza Maggiore Georges Jansoone
Where to go in Bologna to fully enjoy the creations of talented Italian architects? You can not pass by this palace, it is located on the main city square, in addition, it stands on a hill, so it is visible literally from everywhere. The City Hall of Bologna used to be located inside the majestic, powerful structure, today there is a library and museums. The palace includes the Giorgio Morandi Museum, where his works are kept. The facade is decorated with a monument to one of the popes, made of bronze. It is also worth seeing a small chapel decorated with frescoes, located nearby.
Official website: https://www.bolognawelcome.com
9. Palazzo della Mercantia
Palazzo della Mercantia or the Palace of Commerce, built of dark brick at sunset in Bologna
There was once a customs building here. By the efforts of an Italian architect, a Palace of Commerce was built on this site at the end of the XIV century, designed in a solemn Gothic style. The battlements at the top of the wall may suggest their long-standing belonging to a fortress structure, but this is a tribute to the architectural trend. The City Chamber of Commerce is also located here.
10. Palazzo Podesta
Palazzo Podesta is the city’s first palace on Piazza Maggiore in night lighting
The medieval palazzo building, decorated only with arches and forked battlements on the walls, is a tourist attraction in Bologna. Externally, it is also similar to the fortress, today exhibitions are held here. In front of the palace on the square there is a monument to Paul V. The lower floor, equipped with arches, serves as a double passage, which houses fashionable shops.
Official website: https://www.bolognawelcome.com
11. Isolani House
The facade of the three-storey residential building Isolani Antenor81
A three-storey mansion built in the XIII century with three wooden columns (during the last restoration they were reinforced with two brick ones), which support a kind of balcony. It is these columns that attract the gaze of tourists, the building itself is a masterpiece of Parma architecture. There is a sign on the building informing about the belonging of the house to the Isolani family.
12. Museum of the History of Bologna
The modern interactive museum of the History of Bologna in the ancient palace – Pepoli Palazzo
We will advise you what to visit in Bologna from non-standard attractions. The concept of this museum, opened in 2012, is focused on interactive technologies. Entering the futuristic lobby, you enter the world of 3D technology, which reigns in 34 themed halls. Arranged in chronological order, they tell about the history of Bologna with dedication to a variety of interesting nuances that are missing in travel guides. The museum is located in the Pepoli Palazzo, occupying 3 floors there.
Official website: https://genusbononiae.it
13. The City Archaeological Museum
Courtyard at the Archaeological Museum of Bologna Sailko
A small museum in the city center with an interesting collection of artifacts that once belonged to the Etruscans receives the best reviews from travelers. This place is a paradise for archaeology fans. Many exhibits (mostly weapons) are supplemented with schemes for their manufacture. The exhibition of Ancient Egypt here is the best in Europe. The expositions are replenished until today.
Official website: https://www.museibologna.it
14. The Museum of the Middle Ages
A pair of glass flasks with the coats of arms of Bentivoglio (right) and Sforza (left) at the sailko Museum of the Middle Ages
There is another museum in an old building in the center with an exposition of medieval exhibits. Costumes, household items, and jewelry are presented here. Especially impressive are the collection of ancient weapons and well-preserved tombstones with scenes from the life of that period, an exhibition of porcelain and faience.
Official website: https://www.museibologna.it
15. Palazzo Poggi Museum
Anatomical wax figures of a man, his skeleton and organs in the Palazzo Poggi Palickap Museum
Considering the beauty of this museum, you are surprised at the purely symbolic entrance fee. If you don’t know what to see in Bologna in 1 day, be sure to come here. The museum is located in the old part of the university, which makes it possible to visit the courtyard, the anatomical museum and other nearby facilities at once. The original purpose of the creation was a collection of achievements in the field of astronomy. Today, the exhibitions include many collections related to geography, natural history, anatomy, and exact sciences.
16. The National Pinacoteca of Bologna
Halls with exhibits of the National Pinacoteca of Bologna sailko
The works of the masters of the Bologna school are located in the former monastery for the Jesuits. Among them you can find works by Perugino, El Greco, Giotto, Tintoretto, Vasari, Raphael. The small size of the gallery and the cozy atmosphere allow you to calmly examine the works of great artists.
17. Comunale Opera House
View of the Comunale Opera House or Public Theater, opened at the end of the XVIII century in Bologna
Arriving in this city, it would be a crime not to see the best sights of Bologna. One of the prominent opera stages in Europe in general and Italy in particular produces 8 operas per season. Before the fire in 1931, the hall had the shape of a bell. After the reconstruction, it was redone, and the bell was transformed into a horseshoe. Once inside, pay attention to the ceiling: the pattern on it mimics the open sky, creating a feeling of lightness and freedom.
18. The Library of Salabors
Visitors at the Salabors Palickap Library
The sea of open space, freedom of access and movement, as well as the opportunity to get here directly from the central square of the city attracts tourists. When choosing excursions in Bologna, try to get here. The museum will delight with beautiful interiors, a thoughtful information room, an underground museum with excavations visible through a transparent floor. The impression of openness, which invariably embraces everyone at the entrance, is provided by the glass ceiling. The realization of the idea combining the location of ancient artifacts with the modern organization of the interior space is amazing.
19. Mercato di mezzo market
A huge storefront with gastronomic products at Mercato di Mezzo Juan Antonio Segal
So, what to see in Bologna that is bright, colorful, uplifting? Take a walk to this market, hidden in the narrow streets. Open shops offer a variety of goodies. There are a lot of people here every day, which allows you to eat in the company of local residents, plunging into the colorful Italian atmosphere. Coffee, desserts, beer, freshly prepared food will help to arrange a real gastronomic holiday.
Official website: https://www.bolognawelcome.com
20. The Santo Stefano Complex
The monastery complex of St. Stephen or Santo Stefano on the square of the same name in Bologna
It’s amazing how much valuable and interesting guides will show in Bologna, especially in its center.The complex consists of seven churches built during the early Middle Ages. In outline, it repeated the Jerusalem Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Judging by the remarks of historians, the reconstructions that were subsequently carried out over a number of years went to the detriment of the building, so great is the contrast between the current and the original type of buildings. Nevertheless, the complex is still the best replica of the temple in Jerusalem.
Official website: https://www.museionline.info
The sights of Bologna: What else to visit in Bologna?
It is difficult to list the main sights of Bologna briefly, each of them deserves a detailed description. We offer a few more places that you should take the time to visit.
21. St. Peter’s Cathedral
Sculpture group “Mourning for the deceased Christ” in the Bologna Cathedral of St. Petra Didier Descouens
The architecture reflects a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles, the interior of the temple is decorated in the Baroque style. Judging by the tourist reviews, in addition to services, organ music concerts are often held here. If you are lucky enough to be here on Saturday, you can climb the bell tower with the three-ton main bell, which is the pride of the cathedral, for an additional fee. She became famous for a certain “Bolognese” sound. There is a treasury museum inside the cathedral.
22. Church of the Madonna di San Luca
The Church of Madonna di San Luca stands at the top of a wooded Guard Hill
The Catholic church on the Guard Hill was built in the XII century. Its high rating ensures the pilgrimage nature of visits: the church houses an icon of the Virgin Mary with the Child, painted by St. Luke. It should be borne in mind that the hike to the temple is not easy and requires endurance. Or you can drive up to the place on a steam train coming from the square in the center. There is no question of a panoramic view from the top, since only the side of Bologna is visible from there.
23. Basilica of San Domenico
Inside the monastery of the Basilica of San Domenico in Bologna
The Dominican Order settled here. Like its monks, the basilica has an imposing and austere appearance. Located on a hill, it immediately attracts attention with the monumental outlines of a red brick structure. Nowadays, the church houses works of art. Pilgrims from all over the world come here to venerate the relics of St. Dominic.
24. Basilica of San Petronio
Basilica of San Petronio, Palazzo Comunale and Piazza Maggiore in the morning twilight
The large ancient church of Bologna with a height of 132 m can accommodate 28 thousand believers. An interesting detail: a sundial in the form of a meridian is mounted in the floor of the left aisle of the church, which is worth seeing. The building is dedicated to the patron saint of the city.
Official website: https://www.basilicadisanpetronio.org
25. Chertosa Cemetery
The monumental cemetery of the Carthusian monastery in Bologna Matti.happy
The most famous cemetery in Europe with the graves of the most influential and famous families of Bologna. Statues and bas-reliefs on the graves create a solemn and tragic mood, evoking an association with the museum with ancient works of art.
After seeing the beauties of the day, the first evening in Bologna will make you forget about the charms of other cities. The soft light diffused by the multitude of street lights creates a romantic mood that embraces everyone regardless of age. It’s your turn to experience it for yourself! Read also about the sights of Verona and be inspired to travel further in Italy.
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