Bologna italy map. Useful maps and videos. Piazza Del Nettuno

Bologna would be much more famous among tourists if it were not located between the most popular and visited cities in Italy: Milan, Florence and Venice with their many attractions. The map shows that these three cities form a triangle around Bologna, and their rich story, architecture and considerable investments in the tourism sector, leave Bologna in the shadows. However, tourists lose a lot by simply skipping this city, its sights and monuments for the sake of its larger and more famous neighbors.

After all, Italy is not only a map of sights major cities, shopping in Milan or canals of Venice. Bologna is able to fall in love with itself, so much so that you will look at the photos of Bologna for a long time, which depict the wonderful monuments and sights of the city.

It is a very beautiful and old city. It was here that the famous artist Vitale da Bologna was born in the 12th century, whom all of Italy reveres today. As in any place that is not very popular among tourists, Bologna has problems that you will not see in Venice or Milan. Yes, there are a lot of homeless people and stray dogs, yes, a lot of garbage, And it’s also very noisy here, but real life, which Italy so carefully hides from prying eyes, just like that!

However, these sights of Bologna give the country a special charm. Some believe that Bologna is northern Naples (Italy has declared the highest crime rate in the country in Naples. Statistics show that the further south the city is located on the map, the higher its crime rate). Let it be known to you that Bologna is one of the safest cities.

• Did you know that this is the student capital of the country? The map of the city is filled with universities and institutes. This gives the city a certain impulse, on the energy of which it lives day and night. The buildings in this place are hundreds of years old.

Even in Bologna, sights and monuments date back to the Middle Ages and the era of Romanticism, but this is the youngest city in Italy. They even talk about it locals and this fact is perfectly visible in the photo of the city. After all, out of 100,000 students at Bologna universities, 80% live in the city.

• If you are adventurous and love the nightlife, then Bologna is a great choice for a holiday. Be sure to mark it on your travel map. The city has a very rich history and the sights of Bologna fully reflect it. On the map of the city there are a huge number of great places for a photo as a keepsake. A map of Bologna with sights is on sale anywhere in the city and is available in Russian.

Geography and city map

If you look at the map, the city center is surrounded by roads SS64 and SS9. The most popular part of Bologna is located from Via Santo Stefano to Via Pratello. Between them are the largest streets of Bologna: Via Rizzoli and Via Ugo Bassi. Here are the most famous sights and monuments.

Several churches can be found in the area: the Basilica of Santo Stefano (a complex of 7 churches), the Basilica of St. Petronius and the Cathedral of San Francesco. Judging by the map, these 3 churches form a triangle in the city. In Bologna, churches play an important role in people's lives.

Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune)

On the same site are popular recreation areas Piazza Maggiore, Fontana del Nettuno (Neptune's Fountain), Palazzo di Re Enzo, Palazzo Comunale and Bologna attractions such as "Archiginnasio", and "Le Due Torri", which means " two towers. These are the most popular photo spots in the city.

Map

On the map of Bologna, almost all museums and attractions are located in the center. The National Art Gallery is also located here. It contains the most famous paintings by Vitale da Bologna.

You can download the map from the link below:

Attractions on Ugo Bassi street

As elsewhere in Italy, the sights of Bologna include temples, basilicas, monuments and churches. If you look at the map, then most of the interesting places are not far from each other. In addition, all attractions are perfect place for photo.

Piazza Del Nettuno

One of the most beautiful fountains in the city is located on the square. The fountain is adorned with a statue of Neptune, which has interesting story creation. The sculptor of the monument was the Frenchman Giambologna, who portrayed Neptune as a well-built man. The statue looked too good for the righteous Middle Ages and the church demanded that the monument be redone. The sculptor redid it, but on the right side of the square, Neptune has additional body parts that are not so visible from other angles. Almost every tourist takes a photo next to Neptune.

famous squares

On the left side of Ugo Bassi street is Palazzo di Re Enzo (King Enzo's Palace). Here the Sicilian King Enzo served his prison term for 20 years. The palace was built with an interesting acoustic trick: sound (even a whisper) spreads almost throughout the building.

Palazzo Comunale

Not far from the Palace of King Enzo, is the Palazzo Communale. Here is a huge building, which today houses the public library and museum of the Bolognese artist Morandi. Inside the building there is a wooden staircase, which impresses with its size - it is very wide. The floor at the entrance to the library is made of organic transparent glass, which allows you to see the ancient Etruscan ruins lying under the building - the famous sights of the city. Taking photos inside the building is prohibited.

• Next to Piazza Del Nettuno is the largest square in the city - Piazza Maggiore. This square symbolizes the wealth that Italy possessed hundreds of years ago. The area is decorated with a mosaic of white and pink marble. In the center of the square is the Cathedral of St. Petronius. Its construction began in 1392.
• It was planned to create the most beautiful church that all of Italy would be proud of. In fact, the money for the construction was quickly completed and the cathedral stood unfinished for many years. As a result, its construction was continued, but cheap brown stone was chosen as a building material, but the base of the cathedral is marble.

Churches and cathedrals

The Cathedral of San Pietro began its construction in the 10th century. However, during the period of the 17th and 18th centuries, it was restored and acquired distinct features of the Baroque style. The cathedral is home to many valuable frescoes such as the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin and a unique collection of ritual objects from the 15th to 20th centuries.

Piazza S. Stefano is one of the oldest sights in the city - this church complex Sette Chiese. The complex combines several churches, the construction of which is subsidized in the 10th-13th century.
The Cathedral of Crocifisso houses about 1019 works of art and valuable artifacts.

Cathedral Calvario

The Cathedral of Calvario contains the remains of the patron saint of Bologna, San Petronio. The Cathedral of Santi Vitale is the oldest building in the complex. The remains of two Bolognese martyrs are kept here. In addition, the remains of Byzantine battles are stored here.

The Cathedral of San Francesco was built in the 13th century and was the first building that Italy built in gothic style. 3 tombs of the 13th century are kept here, including those of Pope Alexander V. The cathedral itself boasts a grandiose interior and a marble altar.

Discount card

If you plan to travel around Bologna on your own, then it is more profitable to purchase a special ticket "Card of Bologna". The card allows you to use public transport at a discount. Entrance tickets to the museum will also cost less. Some stores also offer discounts with the Bologna Card.

Bologna is one of oldest cities Italy. For tourists, this place is heaven on earth. Today we will get acquainted with the sights of Bologna.

The city in northern Italy was founded in 510 BC. The population is approximately 390,000 people.

The climate of Bologna is similar to that - summers are hot, autumns are rainy, and winters are mild.

This fact attracts even more tourists. The standard of living in the city is one of the highest in all of Italy. Bologna is unofficially called the culinary capital of the country.

Attractions: photo and description

It is unlikely that you will be able to see the whole city on your own in 1-2 days. It is better to take at least 3 days for a trip.

Still, you will want to not only explore popular places, but also appreciate Italian cuisine, as well as set aside time for exciting shopping. Below are the most interesting 20 places in the city.

University of Bologna (Università di Bologna)

The university is famous for being one of the oldest universities in Europe. Founded in 1088. The first diplomas of higher education began to be issued here. Famous natives of this educational institution are Nicolaus Copernicus, Dante, Paracelsus, Petrarch and many others.

Education at the university continues to this day. The number of students reached 90,000. The institution has twenty-three faculties and sixty-eight departments.

• Address: Via Zamboni, 33.
• Access to a certain part of the territory is free.
• Cost: free.

Maggiore Square (Piazza Maggiore)

The main central square of Bologna is the "Heart" of the city. Most of the tourists from this place begin to get acquainted with the sights.

The area is huge in size: 115 meters long and 60 meters wide. Besides the fact that the square itself is beautiful and large, there are important famous buildings here, which are also worth a look.

• Address: Piazza Maggiore.
• Cost: free.

Neptune Square in Bologna (Piazza Nettuno)

There are two main attractions in the square.

The fountain, whose heart is a statue of Neptune, made of bronze, was erected in connection with the appointment of Uncle Carlo Borromeo as Pope Pius IV.

The building of the palace was named after Enzio, son of Frederick II, King of Sardinia. Until his own death, the king was imprisoned in the palace, the period was as much as 23 years.

• Address: Piazza Nettuno.
• The attraction is available for viewing by anyone and at any time.
• Cost: free.

Fountain of Neptune (Fontana di Nettuno)

The continuation of Piazza Maggiore is Piazza Nettuno. Its center is decorated with a magnificent bronze statue of the ruler of the seas - Neptune, created in 1567.

The statue is huge, its height is 3.20 meters.

The sculptor of this work of art is Giambologna. Payment for the construction of the fountain was made from the state treasury.

• Address: Piazza Nettuno.
• The attraction is available for viewing around the clock.
• Cost: free.

Basilica of Saint Stephen

Unfortunately, the original appearance of the buildings has not come down to us. The complex has gone through many restoration works.

In another way, the place is called the Basilica of the Seven Churches. Many residents complain that the restoration efforts have ruined the look of the basilica more than they have transformed it.

It is surprising that almost all buildings of the structure were erected in different centuries, while they are a single complex.

• Address: Via Santo Stefano, 24.
• You can visit the basilica from 8:00 am to 19:00 pm daily.
• The entrance is free.

Basilica of San Domenico

It is one of the key architectural heritages of Bologna. The construction of the cathedral began immediately after the death of Saint Dominic and was completed 20 years later. The relics of the founder of the Dominican Order are kept in the temple to this day.

In the temple there is an organ on which Mozart himself performed his works.

• Address: Piazza S. Domenico, 12.
• You can visit the cathedral from 7:00 in the morning to 13:00 and from 14.30 to 20:00 in the evening.
• The entrance is free.

Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi

Another temple that looks like a Latin cross.

Externally, the building does not attract attention, but the inner courtyard is impossible not to admire. The temple has a magnificent altar made of marble by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli.

Construction was completed in the 15th century. The facade of the building is made of brick.

• Address: Strada Maggiore, 43.
• Visiting hours: from 07:00 to 13:00 and from 15.30 to 20:00.
• The entrance is free.

Palazzo Re Enzo (Palazzo di Re Enzo)

Otherwise, the building is called the New Palace or the palace of King Enzo.

The building was named after the ruler of the island of Sardinia imprisoned here - Enzo, the son of Philip II. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Fossalta and imprisoned in the Palazzo, where he lived for 23 years until his death. Enzo's father several times offered a ransom for his son, and such a huge one that it was possible to make the whole city rich. However, the prisoner was never released.

• Address: Piazza Re Enzo.
• The attraction is available for viewing by anyone and at any time.
• Cost: free.

Church of della Trinita (Chiesa della Trinità)

The primary view of the church has not come down to us, only the result of multiple restoration works. In this regard, the church has a strange, asymmetrical shape.

Entrance to the church through Pilate's courtyard. The most beautiful place in the temple is Cappella della Croce.

• Address: Piazza Maggiore.
• The church can be visited from 07:00 am to 01:00 pm and from 03:30 pm to 08:00 pm.
• The entrance is free.

Basilica of Saint Petronius

The scale of the attraction is truly amazing. The height of the arches is 45 meters, the length of the building is 132 meters, the width is 60 meters.

In order to build such a cathedral, the houses of residents and several city buildings were demolished. For many centuries of existence, the temple belonged to the authorities of the commune, and already in 1929 it was declared the property of the church. The cathedral resembles a Latin cross. The temple is included in the list of the largest churches in the world.

• Address: Piazza San Domenico 13.
• You can visit the cathedral on weekdays and weekends from 7.45 am to 12.30 pm and from 3 pm to 6 pm.
• The entrance is free.

Church of San Giacomo Maggiore

Construction took place from 1267 to 1315.

It is worth visiting the Chapel of Santa Cecilia, located on the territory of the temple. In a niche located on the side of the western facade, a sculpture of Jesus Christ has been preserved. The church houses the tomb of Galeazzo Bentivoglio. The walls of the temple are decorated with very beautiful frescoes by famous decorators.

• Address: via Zamboni 15
• The church can be visited from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
• The entrance is free.

Towers of Asinelli and Garisenda (Torri degli Asinelli e Garisenda).

One of the few surviving towers of Bologna. They are located almost right next to each other. Towers are called falling.

The height of the Asinelli tower is 97 meters. You can climb to the top by breaking 498 steps. In clear weather, you can see the sea from this height.

The second tower of Garisenda reaches a height of 48 meters. There was a time when Garisenda was taller than Asinelli. However, in the 15th century, due to subsidence of the ground, the tower had to be greatly shortened. But even in this form, the building looks decent.

• Address: Piazza di Porta Ravegnana
• Visiting hours: from 9.00 to 18.00 in summer and from 9.00 to 17.00 in winter.
• Cost: 3 euros.

Archigymnasium (Archiginnasio)

Initially, the university was a small complex of scattered buildings, where students and teachers could hardly fit. In the 16th century, the University Palace of the Archigymnasium was built. The auditoriums are located on the second floor.

Coats of arms and inscriptions with which students and teachers adorned the walls have survived to this day. On the lower floor is the Anatomical Theatre, completely made of wood.

It is also necessary to visit the Communal Library - the "heart" of the Archigymnasium.

• Address: Piazza Galvani, 1.
• The attraction is available for viewing by anyone and at any time.
• Cost: free.

Palazzo Bolognini

There are two Palazzo Bolognini on Santo Stefano Street. The second residence is much larger and more beautiful. This house was built by order of Giovanni Bolognini. The family was engaged in the sale of silk and was very rich.

Since the 19th century, the buildings have been rented by various organizations.

• Address: via Santo Stefano, 11 and 18.
• The attraction is available for viewing by anyone and at any time.
• Cost: free.

Palazzo Comunale o Pubblico

The Palazzo Comunale or the Palace of the Commune is the City Hall of Bologna. The building is majestic in appearance.

Inside is an art gallery and the Morandi Museum. The building includes two palaces.

• Address: Piazza Maggiore, 6.
• The attraction is available for viewing by anyone and at any time.
• Cost: free.

Palazzo del Podestà

The palace was never completed. The building was used for various purposes: first as a hall for court hearings, later a public theater was located here, later as a ball game field.

On the site of the current elite stores, the entire first floor was occupied by retail shops.

• Address: Piazza del Podesta.
• Visiting is allowed on the days of exhibitions and official events.

Palazzo Loiani/Aldini-Sanguinetti

Initially, the building belonged to the Luoyani family. In the XVIII century, the Palazzo was bought by Antonio Aldini. He made quite a significant restoration of the palace. The tower, which is located next to the house, was built on his orders, and the common hall was divided into two.

The building now houses a library and a museum.

It is one of the most beautiful Palazzo of Bolonia.

• Address: Strada Maggiore, 34.
• Visiting hours: from 9:00 to 16:00. On weekends and holidays: from 10:00 to 18:30.

Palazzo Poggi

Initially, the building was considered a representative office scientific institute. Now Palazzo Poggi is one of the most interesting museums in the city.

The first exhibition was organized in 1721. The expositions presented here are distinguished by their diversity and impressive appearance.

• Address: via Zamboni, 33.
• Visiting hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 13:00 / from 14:00 to 16:00. On weekends and holidays from 10.30 to 13.30 / from 14.30 to 17.30.
• The ticket price is 3 euros.

Palazzo dei Notai

The name of the palazzo was due to the fact that for a long time the building was the representation of notaries. They bought two buildings in the neighborhood and built a palazzo on this site.

The building has undergone many renovations, but to this day has retained its grandeur.

• Address: Via de' Pignattari, 1.
• The attraction is available for viewing by anyone and at any time.
• Cost: free.

House of Carducci (Casa del Carducci)

The house was built in the 16th century and was the property of the brotherhood of Our Lady.

In 1801, after the dissolution of the brotherhood, the house was sold. By decision of the new owners, the building was expanded. For 17 years, the famous poet Giosue Carducci, who became a Nobel laureate in literature, lived here.

The house is a historic villa. IN this moment The building is used as a public museum.

• Address: Piazza Carducci, 5
• You can visit the house on any day except Monday from 9:00 to 13:00.
• Cost: free.

What to visit with children?

The city is perfect for family vacation. Introduce the children to the parks of Bologna. Fresh air and a beautiful view will conquer not only adults, but also kids. You can do both hiking and cycling.

Another interesting entertainment for the whole family will be visiting culinary exhibitions and master classes. They are held regularly. Besides the fact that you can learn how to cook real Italian dishes, you will also be able to taste your own masterpiece.

The Museo Ducati museum, located at the factory of the same name, will be able to conquer the hearts of children, especially boys. At the exhibition you can see both old and new models of motorcycles. The tour also includes a visit to the factory itself. You will be able to see how motorcycles are assembled and tested and take great photos.

There are so many attractions in the city that you will not be able to see them all in one day. Inspection can be carried out independently or as part of an excursion, where a guide in Russian will tell you the history of the city and attractions, introduce you to the peculiarities and interesting facts.

If you choose the first option, then use the practical advice of travelers who have already visited Bolonia, get a map of the city and go on a trip to meet new experiences!

Useful maps and videos

look interactive map sights of Bologna in Russian:

look video about Bologna:

Here is a detailed map of Bologna with street names in Russian and house numbers. You can easily get directions by moving the map in all directions with the mouse or by clicking on the arrows in the upper left corner. You can change the scale using the scale with the "+" and "-" icons located on the right side of the map. The easiest way to adjust the image size is by rotating the mouse wheel.

What country is Bologna in?

Bologna is located in Italy. It's wonderful beautiful city with its own history and traditions. Bologna coordinates: north latitude and east longitude (show on a large map).

virtual walk

Interactive map of Bologna with landmarks and more tourist sites- an indispensable assistant in independent travel. For example, in the "Map" mode, whose icon is located in the upper left corner, you can see the city plan, as well as detailed map highways with track numbers. You can also see the railway stations and airports of the city marked on the map. Nearby you see the "Satellite" button. By turning on the satellite mode, you will consider the terrain, and by zooming in, you can explore the city in great detail (thanks to satellite maps from Google Maps).

Move the "man" from the lower right corner of the map to any street in the city, and you can take a virtual walk through Bologna. Adjust the direction of movement using the arrows that appear in the center of the screen. By turning the mouse wheel, you can zoom in or out on the image.

In Bologna (Bologna) there is the oldest functioning university in Europe, covered arched galleries, stretching for a total of forty kilometers, the fifth largest temple on the planet. Here you can see with your own eyes the anatomical theater, where ten centuries ago anyone could watch the dissection of corpses.

In one of the local churches, an organ is installed, on which Mozart himself played, an icon is kept, written by the hand of the Apostle Luke.

The city of Bologna is located 310 km north of Rome (Roma), at the foot of the Northern Apennines (Appennino settentrionale). On geographical map it can be found at the following coordinates: 44°30 north latitude, 11°21 east longitude. Presumably, the settlement was founded in the sixth century BC by the Etruscan king Fero, who named the city in honor of his daughter, Felsina.

Due to its favorable location, fertile lands, trade, the settlement developed rapidly. After some time, it was captured by the Boii (Celtic tribe) and since then the city has become known as Bonnonia (Bononia). Over time, the name was transformed into a modern version.

After the Boii suffered a final defeat from the Romans (it happened in 191 BC), the former Felsina became part of the Roman Empire. Three years later, the Romans built a road through the center of the city that connected Bonnonia with other cities in the country. After that, a series of ups and downs followed in the history of the city, when it passed from hand to hand, burned, rebuilt, survived the siege and collapsed again. The city survived the collapse of the Roman Empire, the fragmentation and formation of a new state, the persecution of the Christian Church and its revival.

University of Bologna

The most famous landmark of Bologna is its university (Università di Bologna), which is located on Luigi Zamboni Street (via Giacomo Venezian). The central building, which houses the administration, is located at number thirteen.

The University of Bologna appeared in 1088, and only Al-Karaouine, opened in Morocco two centuries earlier, is older than it. But before that educational institution The University of Bologna has an advantage: diplomas of higher education began to be issued here several centuries earlier.

Interestingly, students at first had the right to choose deans and even paid lecturers a salary, which gave students some independence. Therefore, it is not surprising that Nicolaus Copernicus, Albrecht Dürer, Carlo Goldoni studied here. The first female teacher was the daughter of the lawyer Accursio. Like her father, she taught law. It was the 13th century.

At first, rhetoric and Roman law were taught at Università di Bologna, but already in the 14th century, in addition to law, theological and medical faculties were opened. Since then, the institution has expanded significantly: now there are twenty-three faculties, where about ninety thousand students study.

squares

The central streets of Bologna are two adjacent squares. These are the Main Square (Piazza Maggiore) and the Neptune Square (Piazza Nettuno) located at an angle to it. Here are the most important and interesting buildings of the city: palaces, government agencies, museums, temples

main square

Piazza Maggiore is considered the central square of Bologna. Its length is 115 m, width is 60 m. Until 1877, there was a market here, which existed until 1877. Also here are the main institutions of the city, where the fate of people was decided - the Palace of the City Administration (Palazzo del Podestà), the Palace of the Commune (Palazzo Comunale o Pubblico). On this square is built the most big church city ​​- the Basilica of St. Petronio.

Piazza Nettuno glorified the fountain, which was installed here in the sixteenth century. He gave the name to the street: the statue placed in the center depicts the god of the sea. Some Bolognese students believe that if you walk around the fountain twice with a thoughtful look counterclockwise, you can successfully pass the exam. At least, this is what the architect Giambologna did before he came up with the look of the fountain.

On the square there is a palace in which, until his death, from 1249 to 1272, King Enzio of Sardinia was imprisoned. Therefore, the building was named after him - Palazzo di Re Enzo.

It is said that the king had a mistress among the local women. They had a son who became the founder of the Bentivoglio family. Its representatives ruled in Bologna at the end of the fifteenth century. Now the palace houses the Chapel of Our Lady of the Prisoners (Cappella Madonna dei prigionieri), the city archive, a medieval courtroom, and cells in which prisoners were kept.

Churches

There are many churches in Bologna, and each of them is interesting in its own way. The Cathedral of St. Petronio is located here, which should have eclipsed in scale if the Pope had not intervened in the situation. In the Basilica of St. Dominic (Basilica Di San Domenico), Mozart himself played the organ. There is also the Church of the Madonna of St. Luke (Santuario della Madonna di San Luca). To see it, you need to walk four kilometers along the covered gallery: it is the longest on the planet. The church houses an icon painted by the Apostle Luke.

Basilica of Saint Petronio

To the south of piazza Maggiore is located main cathedral city ​​- the Basilica of St. Petronio (La Basilica di San Petronio). The construction of the Gothic structure began in the XIV century. Interestingly, the construction of the temple was not the idea of ​​the church: it was decided to build it as a sign of the greatness of the communal power in Bologna.

It was planned that the building would surpass the scale of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome (Basilica di San Pietro). According to the plan, the building was to be 208 meters long and 142 meters wide. Therefore, in order to implement the project, towers, houses of citizens, eight small churches were demolished. But the Pope of Rome could not allow this, he intervened in the situation, and the construction plan was redone.

As a result, the dimensions of the temple were:

• Length - 132 meters;
• Width - 60 meters;
• The height of the vaults is 45 meters;
• The height of the unfinished facade (the dome remained unfinished) is 51 meters.

The construction lasted for about three centuries, and ended in 1663. It is believed that this is the last church built in Italy in the form of a Latin cross.

Now the basilica is the fifth largest Catholic church in the world. The oldest organ in the country, made in 1475, is installed in the church. On the floor of the temple, Giovanni Domenico Cassini drew a meridian to prove that our planet revolves around the sun. The signs of the zodiac are marked on its different parts, and on the roof there is a hole through which a ray of the Sun falls, indicating the month of the year.

Interestingly, the church of St. Petronio has been the property of the commune for centuries. That is why both Christian rites and court sessions, city meetings, and other solemn events were held here. The basilica passed into the possession of the church in 1929.

Church of St. Stephen

On piazza Santo Stefano is the Church of St. Stephen (Basilica di Santo Stefano). It is part of the Seven Churches complex., which in addition to it includes the following buildings:

1. Cathedral of St. John the Baptist or Holy Crucifixion (Chiesa Del Crozifisso) - construction of the eighth century;
2. Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Chiesa Del San Sepolcro) - built in the fifth century;
3. Church of the Holy Trinity (Chiesa Dell Trinita) - thirteenth century;
4. Basilica of the Martyrs Vitaly and Agricola (Chiesa Dei Santi Vitale E Agricola) - fourth or fifth century;
5. Portico or Court of Pilate (Cortile Di Pilato) - thirteenth century. The portico represents the platform where Jesus Christ was judged. In the courtyard there is a swimming pool, "Pilate's washbasin";
6. Monastery.

Although these structures were erected in different time, and three temples have not been preserved, the churches were built in the same style. The Church of St. Stephen is notable for the fact that the relics of St. Petronio were kept there for several centuries. And only in 2000 they were transferred to the temple, named after him.

Basilica of Saint Dominic (Basilica Di San Domenico) is located on Piazza San Domenico.

The temple was founded in 1221 by Dominic Guzman (Spanish: Domingo de Guzmán Garcés), who arrived in Bologna three years earlier. He was so amazed by the seething energy of the city that he decided: here his service to God would bring the greatest benefit and therefore settled in a monastery. But the power of the preacher's word turned out to be so strong that the monastery church could not accommodate those who wanted to. So the brothers decided to build a church.

Unfortunately, Dominic died the same year construction began. Therefore, the temple was completed without him (it took about twenty years to build). Since the church was erected by monks belonging to a mendicant order, the facade is made of brick, and the center is decorated with a large stained-glass window. After that, the temple was subjected to restoration and alteration several times. For example, in 1530 a chapel appeared near the church, under the dome of which the remains of St. Dominic are kept.

In the Basilica of St. Dominic, there is a bust of him, which is an exact reconstruction of the skull of a monk (1946). Amadeus Mozart honed his art on the organ of this cathedral in the eighteenth century.

The longest covered gallery on the planet belongs to the temple of the Madonna of St. Luke. The cathedral was erected on top of a hill, the height of which is three hundred meters.

The building dates back to the end of the twelfth century. According to legend, the basilica was erected to store in it the icon of Our Lady of the Guide, written by the hand of the Apostle Luke (it was brought by Greek pilgrims). Chronicles tell a different story: Angelica Bonfantini, a noble citizen of Bologna, became a hermit and gave her land to the church.

To get to the temple, you have to climb the hill along the arched gallery, which is almost four kilometers long: it connects the church with the city. At first, walking along the gallery is not difficult: at first it leads along a lowland. But then it begins to gradually rise up, steps appear. Closer to the cathedral, on the walls of the gallery, you can see icons and tablets with the names of the architects who built this or that arch.

There are 666 arches in the gallery. The number of the devil during the construction was not chosen by chance: icon painters often depicted Mary as trampling a snake underfoot, which they consider to be the incarnation of Satan. A winding, long gallery speaks of a defeated reptile that lies at the foot of the Church of the Virgin.

There is another purpose for which such a long gallery was created. Pilgrims come to worship the icon. In the gallery, they can wait out the bad weather and hide from the burning rays of the sun.

The Temple of Santa Maria dei Servi (Basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi) is located at Strada Maggiore 43. The basilica is small: one hundred meters long, twenty meters wide, made in the form of a Latin cross.

The construction of the temple began in 1346, completed in the fifteenth century. The façade is made of brick and looks rather plain. But the courtyard in the style of early Christian churches definitely attracts attention. Inside the temple there is an altar made of marble by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli, frescoes of the fourteenth century, as well as one of the finest organs in Europe.

Church of San Giacomo Maggiore (Chiesa di San Giacomo Maggiore) is located on via Zamboni 15. The Augustinian monks began to build the church in 1267, finishing work eighty years later. After that, the church was rebuilt more than once: at the end of the XV century. the bell tower was completed, a portico appeared, the chapel of St. Cecilia.

The best preserved western facade, from which the construction of the temple began. A niche with a sculpture of Christ has been preserved here. To the left of the altar is the Bentivoglio Chapel, which was founded by the son of the King of Sardinia, Enzi. It is decorated with paintings and frescoes by Lorenzo Costa: Madonna enthroned surrounded by the Bentivoglio family, frescoes about the triumph of Death and Glory, Vision of the Apocalypse.

Peter's Basilica (Cattedrale di San Pietro) is famous for its huge bell tower, which covers an area of ​​70 meters. The number of bells here exceeds two dozen, and the largest of them weighs three tons and is known as "grandmother".

The cathedral is located at the address: via Indipendenza 7, a hundred meters from the Main Square. The earliest information about this temple dates back to the 10th century. Two centuries later, the building burned down, was restored and supplemented with a bell tower and a crypt. A hundred years later, the temple suffered from, but was restored.

After that, the temple was reworked more than once: the work was completely completed in the middle of the eighteenth century. This was the reason for the mixture of Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque styles. The temple is interesting not only for the bell tower, the works of Prospero Fontana, Ludovico Carracci, Alfonso Lombardi. There is also a treasury museum here, which contains items of religious utensils that famous people have donated to the church over the past five hundred years.

Museums

History lovers can not only wander through the medieval streets of the city, visit numerous temples, but also go to museums that will tell you how Bologna lived and breathed in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. It will be interesting to look at the funerary items that belong to the VI Art. BC. and testify to the antiquity of the city.

National Pinakothek

The National Pinacoteca (Pinacoteca nazionale di Bologna) is an art museum. You can find it on via Belle Arti, 56 in a room that used to belong to the Jesuit order. Here are collected the works of Italian artists of the XIII-XIX centuries.

The idea to create a place where the altar paintings would be stored came to the mind of the future Pope Benedict XIV (lat. Benedictus PP. XIV) in 1762. In less than twenty years, more than a thousand icons and paintings by famous artists have been collected. Among them - the work (Raffaello Santi,) Annibale Caracci (Annibale Carracci), Lorenzo Costa (Lorenzo Costa);

In 1796, the power of the Pope was overthrown, after which a republic was established. The paintings were confiscated and transferred to temples and monasteries. In 1802, the authorities opened the Pinakothek on the street Fine Arts, 56. Since then, the collection has been constantly replenished with paintings from private collections and in other ways, until it became the best art museum Italy.

Archigymnasium

Not far from the rector's office of Boston University, the building of its first complex is located. Here is the archigymnasium, inside which one of the largest libraries in Europe is located. Exact address: Palazzo dell'Archiginnasio, Piazza Galvani, 1.

There is another interesting place in the archigymnasium building - the restored anatomical theater (Teatro Anatomico), where four centuries ago anyone could see how corpses were dissected. The anatomical theater arose in 1637 and is an interesting example of how students of those years were trained.

The room itself is designed in the form of an amphitheater, the walls of which are lined with wood, and benches for spectators are installed along them. Decorate the hall wooden sculptures, depicting famous doctors, on the ceiling - the constellations and Apollo, the patron saint of medicine. In the center is a marble table where the deceased used to lie. The places where students used to sit watching the autopsy are now occupied by spectators, in front of which the actors play theatrical performances on the topic of anatomy.

Poggi Palace (Musei di Palazzo Poggi) is located on via Zamboni, 33. Many consider it one of the most interesting museums in Bologna.

The first exposition opened in 1721 in the castle of Giovanni Poggi, who was fond of science and creativity. Therefore, here was the residence of the Scientific Institute. The exact author of the project is unknown, but there is information that was first supposed to be collected and presented in order of the chronology of the discovery in the field of astronomy. Then the museum expanded.

In Palazzo Poggi you can see fossils, terrestrial and sea ​​plants, minerals, stuffed sea animals. Several halls are dedicated to physics and astronomy. There is an exposition of models of ships, geographical maps.

Of interest is the school of obstetrics, as well as wax figures, which allow you to get acquainted with the process of childbirth in detail, to study the structure of the skin, muscles, and the human skeleton in layers.

Attention is drawn to a figure demonstrating the torment of a girl in the last moment of her life. Her stomach and chest are open, which makes it possible to see the state of internal organs.

Parents who come to Bologna with children should take into account that this presentation of materials is not for children's eyes.

Archaeological Museum

Many monuments of the early history of Felsina are included in the exposition of the archaeological museum of Bologna (Museo Civico Archeologico), which is located on via dell'Archiginnasio, 2. The reason for its discovery was the ancient burials that were discovered near the cemetery of Certosa, as well as the necropolis found during the arrangement Margherita Gardens park.

In the seventies of the nineteenth century, the first exposition of archaeological finds, which were found during excavations, was organized in the archigymnasium. Ten years later, the authorities opened a museum in the Galvani Palace (Palazzo Galvani). The exhibition is arranged in such a way that the visitor can see all the exhibits in one short tour.

Here the visitor learns about the history of Bologna in the Etruscan, Gallic, Greek, and Roman periods. The Egyptian hall contains mummies and other attributes of Egyptian culture. Of interest are old coins.

medieval museum

The Medieval Museum of Bologna (Museo Civico Medievale in Palazzo Ghisilardi) is located in the Palazzo Ghisilardi Fava, on via Manzoni, 4. Here exhibited exhibits from private collections of the artist Palagi (Palagi), Marquis Cospi (Cospi), General Marsili (Marsili).

There are sculptures and paintings by medieval masters, frescoes by Jacopo della Quercia. Interesting crafts made of ivory, bronze, glass, Carrara marble. The collection includes weapons, tombstones, medieval documents. The fountain of the 13th century attracts attention, where the sculptures of the four Atlantes are installed.

In one of the halls, the first sculpture of the Pope, presented for viewing in a secular institution, is installed. So the memory was perpetuated under Boniface VIII (lat. Bonifatius PP. VIII), who did a lot to end the war between Ferrara and Bologna. Of interest is the bust of Mercury, made of bronze by the architect Giambologna in honor of Emperor Maximilian II of Austria.

The museum dedicated to toy soldiers is located in Villa Aldrovandi Mazzacorati. Exact address: via Toscana, 17–19. The exposition appeared in 1974 at the initiative of Mario Massachesi and other lovers of this unusual hobby, who collected their collections to make them available to the public.

The fund of the museum contains thirty thousand soldiers, twelve of which are on display to the public. The exhibition presents figurines made of lead, tin, wood, cardboard, and plastic. Of interest are the reconstructions of battles, costumes, weapons of troops, from antiquity to the twenty-first century.

Villa Aldrovandi Mazzacorati is a building built in 1761. The building is decorated with two rows of balconies that support caryatids, and on the facade there are sculptures of sirens. Attracts the attention of the portico with six columns and a triangular pediment, decorated in neoclassical style.

The Carducci House (Casa del Carducci) is located on Piazza Carducci, 5. Now it is a museum in memory of the Nobel Prize winner, poet Giosuè Carducci.

The building used to belong to the Carducci family, and the poet himself lived here for seventeen years. When he died, the house was purchased by Queen Margherita of Savoy (Margherita von Savoyen). She donated the building to the city so that the townspeople could set up a museum in it, dedicated to the memory of the great Italian. Now the museum houses a library, which consists of 40 thousand manuscripts and volumes, there are personal belongings of the poet.

By spiral staircase the visitor can go up to the second floor, where the Carducci rooms are located. The windows overlook the ring road and the square named after the poet. Near the house there is a garden with sculptures, one of which depicts Carducci. Also here you can see a faun, Freedom, saddling a dark horse. The garden is also interesting because it rests on the old city ​​wall that escaped destruction.

On the first tier there is a museum dedicated to the Risorgimento. This was the name of the national liberation movement in Italy. Here are paintings, weapons, flags, uniforms, documents.

Walls and towers

There are few reminders of early history in Bologna. These include the ruins of the first city walls, towers. The need for towers was caused not so much by the need to hide from external attack, but by the fact that many families of the city were at enmity with each other. In addition, the towers demonstrated to others the wealth of the family that owned them.

Walls

Scientists find it difficult to say when the townspeople erected the first city walls: the approximate date is the sixth-eighth century AD. But they agree that the construction lasted more than one year: some sections of the wall were built with high quality, others were clearly erected in a hurry.

The fortifications were made from selenite (a type of gypsum), which was mined from Mount Donato, located on the south side of the city. Also in the construction, the masters used stones and cobblestones from old buildings. The height of the first defensive ring of the city in some places was at least eight meters and was made without a bonding solution. Now the remains of the first wall are stored in archaeological museum Bologna, as well as on the street. Manzoni (via Manzoni).

The second line of fortifications appeared in the XII century. The length of the defensive walls was four kilometers, and they went down in history under the name "Ring of Torresotti" (Cerchia dei Torresotti). The construction took twenty years, and if the first ring had four exits from the city, then eighteen gates were provided here. Some of them have survived to this day. This:

• Porta Piella (Gate of Piella);
• Torresotto San Vitale (Torresotto San Vitale);
• Porta Nova (New Gate).

A hundred years later, the city was surrounded by the third line of defensive walls. This building is known by two names: "Ring of Boulevards" (Cerchia dei Viali) or "Chirkla" (Circla). At first the wall was wooden, then instead of it a brick fence was built.

The length of the new line of defense was 6 km, height - 9 m. Citizens entered the city through twelve gates. Ten of them have survived to this day, while the walls were demolished at the beginning of the twentieth century. Instead, a ring of boulevards appeared, which frames the historical center.

Two falling towers

The symbols of Bologna are two leaning towers - Asinelli (La torre Asinelli) and Garisenda (Garisenda), located two hundred meters from the Cathedral of San Petronio.

They were built a few meters apart and tilted in different directions. The reason for this is non-compliance with the correct construction technology.

Azinelli is the highest leaning tower in the country: the height is 97.2 m, and the upper part is rejected by 2.2 m. The building was erected at the beginning of the twelfth century, and at different times the tower served as a fortress or a prison. To save Asinelli from falling, the building is constantly being restored. Access to the top is open to tourists: 498 steps of a wooden spiral staircase lead to the observation deck.

The condition of the neighboring Garisenda is significant, although it is two times lower: the tower's displacement is three meters. Therefore, the tower, which was originally 60 meters high, was shortened three times, and now the building rises 48 meters above the ground. Garisenda is closed to tourists.

Azzoguidi Tower

A hundred meters from piazza Maggiore is the Azzogudidi Tower, also known as Altabella (in Italian it sounds like Torre Azzoguidi detta Altabella). Exact address: via Altabella, 7. The tower was erected at the end of the twelfth century by the Azzogudidi family, whose representatives actively participated in political life cities.

Altabella is second in height after Asinelli: its height is 61 m. But unlike it, it stands straight, does not fall: Azzogudidi was built in compliance with all proportions.

Taking into account the thickness of the walls, scientists suggest that Azzogudidi was taller. The base of Altabela is lined with selenite. The portal is made of the same material in the form lancet arch, which is decorated with a decorative border.

To see the Prendiparte Tower (Torre Prendiparte detta Coronata), you need to walk two hundred meters from the Main Square. The exact address is Via Sant'Alò, 5. Now a hotel is located here.

During the construction of the tower, the craftsmen used blocks of selite and Bolognese bricks. The height of the building is 59.5 meters, it has twelve floors. A convenient staircase leads upstairs.

The tower was erected at the end of the twelfth century by representatives of the Prendiparte family, whose members held high positions in the city. Three centuries later, the tower passed into the possession of the Fabruzzi family, a hundred years later - to the church. In the eighteenth century, a punishment cell was placed in Prendipart, where they were imprisoned for crimes against Christianity. That is why you can see the autographs of prisoners on the walls.

Prendiparte is also known as the Crowned (Coronata). The name of the tower was given by the protrusions resembling the crown of the tower, which are located fifty meters from the ground.

Palaces and architecture

A tourist who wants to see all the palaces and architecture of Bologna will have to spend more than one day: each house here is able to tell its own story about the people who lived, created, wove intrigues, were born and died here. But there are buildings in the city that every tourist must visit.

Palazzo Comunale

In the center of the city is the Palace of the Commune (Palazzo Comunale o Pubblico). This is the City Hall of Bologna, which is located on Piazza Maggiore, 6. The palace consists of two houses - the Palace d'Accursio (Palazzo d'Accursio) and the Palace del Legato (Palazzo del Legato).

The oldest part of the town hall is located in the Accursio Palace. The building is named after the teacher of law, Professor Francesco d'Accorso, whose residence was acquired by the city authorities at the end of the 13th century. At first, the offices of several city services were located here, and public grain was also stored. But already in 1336, the Elders began to sit in the Palace d'Accursio and it became the residence of the city authorities.

In the fifteenth century, the Palace d'Accursio was expanded. Its tower was decorated with a clock with a carousel, which depicted the Magi and Mary with the baby (removed in 1796). Since then, the building has been restored several times. Under Pope Julius II, a residence for the Papal Legate (Palace del Legato) was built near the Palace d'Accursio. Due to this, the Town Hall has increased.

Today, at the bottom of the town hall is the hall of the city council, decorated with allegorical frescoes, the hall of Hercules. On the second tier, it will be interesting for tourists to look at the Farnese Hall and the Legato Chapel, where Charles V was crowned (1530). On the third floor there is a museum with canvases by artists of the thirteenth and nineteenth centuries, as well as a museum of the Italian painter Giorgio Morandi.

City Administration Palace

The City Hall (Palazzo del Podestà) is located on Piazza Maggiore 6. Above it rises the Arengo Tower (Torre dell'Arengo), the bell of which for centuries called the townspeople to meetings, announced important events.

The house was specially erected on the main square of Bologna so that the city government would sit in it. Notaries also worked here for some time, until a separate building was built for them. At first the house was built in the Romanesque style, then in the fifteenth century the facade was remade in the spirit of the Renaissance.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the main hall of the palace was decorated with frescoes by Adolfo de Carolis, which tell about the history of Bologna.

Palazzo dei Notai is located on via de' Pignattari, a side street adjacent to the Main Square. Exact address: 1. A house was built specifically for the community of notaries in 1287, and for a long time it was a residence. There was also an archive where wills and other papers were kept.

The purpose of the house is indicated by a sign on the facade of the house and three inkwells with feathers on a red background - the coat of arms of the notary community. Now government services are located here.

The last building on piazza Maggiore was the Palazzo dei Banchi. The house was erected in the XVI century. and is not so much a building as a decorative facade of fifteen arches, behind which are hidden several small buildings. The palace is connected by a portico with the Archigymnasium.

The Archbishop's Palace (Palazzo Arcivescovile) was built in the thirteenth century by order of Cardinal Enrrico della Fratta. The building is located on via Altabella, 6, has a common courtyard with the Church of St. Peter.

It was decided to build a palace between the previously erected towers of Azzogvidi, Prendiparte, Altabella. Therefore, they frame the palace and seem to be a single whole.

In the sixteenth century, the masters renovated the facade, equipped the courtyard, added a portico of four arches. The chapel on the ground floor was decorated by Minozzi in 1790. In the nineteenth century, the building was restored.

On Santo Stefano Street there are two residences of the wealthy Bolognini silk merchant. The main one is at number eighteen, the second is eleven.

Giovanni Bolognini decided to build a second residence, who wanted his family to live in more luxurious conditions. The preparatory work lasted twenty years. Therefore, the construction of the Palazzo Bolognini (Palazzo Bolognini) on via Santo Stefano, 11 began in 1513.

The facade of the master's building was decorated with a veranda with terracotta busts and carved capitals. Interestingly, Properzia de’ Rossi, the first female sculptor in European history, worked on this veranda under the direction of Andrea da Formigine.

Since the beginning of the nineteenth century, the building has been rented out to various organizations. From 1823 to 1855 the tenant was the Casino dei Nobili. Then concerts were held here, where Haydn and Rossini performed.

The Bero House (Casa Berò) is located on via Rolandino, 1. The building appeared in the 16th century, the material for construction is brick, the facade of the master was decorated with terracotta reliefs and numerous arches. The building is unique: it is not a palace-residence of the nobility, but the home of a wealthy bourgeois who lived in the Renaissance, knew and appreciated art.

The townspeople call this building the House of Caracci. here was the workshop of Agostino, Annibale and Ludovico Carracci (Annibale, Agostino, Ludovico Carracci). These painters lived and worked at the end of the sixteenth century.

You can get to the Palazzo del Podesta (Palazzo del Podestà) during exhibitions or special events. The house is located on Piazza del Podestà and adjoins Enzio's Palace, in Neptune Square.

The building was built at the end of the XV century. commissioned by Giovanni II Bentivoglio. It was intended for the residence of the heads of local governments. The project was not completed due to the expulsion of Bentivoglio from the city.

The building has been used in different ways. At first there was a court, a century later a theater was located. It existed for two centuries, after which they played ball in the house. Below were craft shops, now there are luxury stores.

Palazzo Loyani

Loiani Palace (Palazzo Loiani / Aldini-Sanguinetti) is located on Strada Maggiore, 34. At first it belonged to the Loiani family, in the middle of the 16th century it was bought by the Riario brothers.

The palace underwent significant reconstruction in 1796, when Count Antonio Aldini became its owner. He attached a nearby tower to the building, and also ordered the large hall to be divided in two. The result was two rooms - the Celebration Hall and the Hall of Virtue. Their decoration is considered a prime example neoclassicists.

Today, the palace houses the Music Library and the Rossini International Museum (Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica di Bologna). Gioachino Antonio Rossin stayed here while renovating his house.

Arcade

The arched galleries of Bologna stretched forty kilometers through the city center. They give the city an openwork, and a combination of styles and decor from different eras - an unusual look.

The construction of arcades began in the Middle Ages in order to expand houses in the compressed conditions of the city. At first, the galleries were built of wood, then they were replaced by stone buildings with columns. There are no arcades in the city, below 2 m 66 cm: a rider on a horse had to pass through them without hindrance.

Since the construction of arcades did not stop until the nineteenth century, here you can study the history of arcade building in recent centuries. The longest arcade leads to the church of the Madonna of St. Luke.

Gardens and parks

Most famous parks Bologna are the Gardens of Margherita (Giardini Margherita), the Gardens of Montagnola (Giardino della Montagnola) and the Botanical Garden (Giardini Botanici). Each of them is attractive in its own way.

The main entrance to the Margherita Gardens via Murri. It was opened in 1879, and since then its appearance has changed little. Here, on an area of ​​26 hectares, there is a lake with fountains, which is surrounded by artificial rocks made of selenite. A wooden palace was built nearby.

There are many pebble paths, long alleys, and spacious meadows in the park. You can relax in oak groves and among coniferous trees.

There is an archaeological zone in the park, where Etruscan burials were discovered at the end of the 19th century: 243 graves, the oldest of which date back to 550 BC. This find gave rise to archaeologists to condemn the antiquity of the city.

The peculiarity of the burials turned out to be horseshoe-shaped steles made of sandstone. They depict paintings on the theme of travel to the realm of the dead. The stele and funerary items, including many valuable things, can be seen in the archaeological museum. And in the archaeological zone of the park there is a reconstructed hut from the Villanova era. That's what they call ancient culture Iron Age, which refers to the XII-VIII centuries. BC.

The Botanical Garden of Bologna is located on via Irnerio, 4. It is one of the oldest on the continent. The garden is interesting not only for its age, flora, but also for the fact that it moved several times over the course of several centuries.

The first botanical garden of the city appeared in 1568 in one of the courtyards of the Main Square of the city on the initiative of the University of Bologna. Twenty years later, the garden was moved to the gates of Santo Stefano (Porta S. Stefano), where he was given an area of ​​​​5 thousand km2.

At the present place, the botanical garden appeared at the beginning of the nineteenth century, when the Ferrario College building passed to the university. Immediately after that, greenhouses were made, places for planting were equipped. Some time later, a training center was opened, in which anyone who wishes will receive the maximum information about the local plants.

The Botanical Garden was badly damaged by bombing during the Second World War. A serious loss is the destruction of the greenhouse, where plants have been grown since the time of Napoleon. Now the area of ​​the botanical garden occupies two hectares, on which five thousand species of flora grow.

Gardens of Montagnola

The gardens of Montagnola are located on the hill of the same name, whose height is sixty meters. You can climb up the marble stairs, not far from which are the ruins of the Castello Di Galliera fortress and the Galliera Gate (Porta Galliera) from the third ring of fortifications.

At the foot of the hill is a sculpture by Pasquale Rizzoli. It is dedicated to all the fallen townspeople in August 1848: they defended Bologna from the Austrian troops. The composition depicts an Italian with a banner in his hands, at whose feet a fallen Austrian soldier.

In former times, there was a forest, which in the seventeenth century was thinned out and trails were laid for horseback riding. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, a French-style park was laid out here. The first sculptures appeared, an artificially created pond. The marble staircase was built in 1896.

Connects Bologna with major cities Italy and Europe Airport Aeroporto Internazionale Guglielmo Marconi. Therefore, the plane flies from Moscow for three and a half hours. The airport itself is located six kilometers from the city, and therefore you can get to the center of Bologna in less than 30 minutes by bus or taxi - for the last, more comfortable option, you will have to pay about 35 euros. We recommend ordering a transfer in advance with the company - you will be met with a sign, the cost is fixed and there are no surprises with taxi drivers.

The city's bus station also accepts international buses. The station is located in Piazza XX Settembre, not far from the railway station.

One and a half kilometers from the Main Square is the largest railway station in the country - Bologna Centrale. Trains come here not only from all over the country, but also from major cities in Europe. Florence is an hour's drive from here, and Venice is half an hour more. The road to Milan, Rome, Turin by fast train will take less than two hours.

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City of Bologna in Italy in 1 day. What to see, how to get there interesting places and attractions, as well as a map and photo.

My stay in this city was 2 days and 3 nights, but only 1 day was spent on inspection, and the 2nd was dedicated to the neighboring town. First, as usual, a small technical guide to Bologna, and then a description of the route and attractions.

How to get to the city of Bologna

When visiting Florence, tourists often go for 1 day to Bologna, so this is the most popular route after the Airport. Therefore, I will describe these two directions.

1. Florence-Bologna: trains run most often, ticket prices are from 9.5-15 €. Train tickets can be bought at no extra charge. An alternative to trains for 5€ if booked early.
2. : there is a choice of transfer from the airport for any wallet size. The most budgetary is urban transport for 1.3 €, followed by shuttle buses for 6 €, and the most comfortable for 40 €.

Accommodation in Bologna

1. Hotels: If you prefer hotels, then you will be able to cope with the search for the best-priced housing, which is best used in the kit, which will reduce the cost by 10-20%. You can always use the verified
2. Apartments: The most budget option for me was renting an apartment for 3 days for. Review of this housing is in a separate story.

Sights of Bologna

A detailed story about what I managed to see in 1 day is a little lower, but for now you can appreciate the map of Bologna attractions, on which I put most of the places and objects I saw.

Public transport in Bologna

To see all this you will need a 24-hour pass for public transport. You should not be greedy, as you will very much regret that you have abandoned public transport. I tested this craving for myself.

The pass is called Giornaliero and costs 5 €, you can buy it in all Tabacchi cities, as well as wherever there is an inscription t-Per indicating public transport in Bologna.

What to see Bologna in 1 day

At first it may seem that it is very difficult to see the city in 1 day, but if you approach with preparation, then there will still be time to sit in a cafe near the central square while sipping a cup of coffee with a croissant for 1€.

We are heading in his direction to find a public transport stop, and at the same time we will come closer.

The church is located across a large road that was once a defensive wall and surrounded the entire city, and today the entire wall is a road around the historic city, from which only numerous entrance gates remain. These are the gates that we will now collect into one large collage.

Historic gates of Bologna

To collect them all, it is very convenient to use buses 32 and 33. These buses travel around the historic city in a circle and go around all the arches. Bus 32 travels clockwise and bus 33 travels counterclockwise. It would be best to take the 33, its stop is near the SS church. Annunziata a Porta Procula, which we have now reached.

Then we act according to the following algorithm - we saw the gate, pressed the STOP button and got off the bus at the nearest stop, took a picture and boarded bus 33 again. The distance from the stops to the gate is usually not large, since the whole circle is only 7 km. In some places the distance between the gates is so small that you can walk.

I missed one gate, or rather did not reach them, as I walked around the city on foot without public transport. These gates are called Porta Castiglione, and they are closest to the rented apartment.

Monk "Padre Pio"

The last gate where you need to get off the bus is Porta Saragozza or, in the Russian version, the Saragozza Gate. There is a photo of the gate above and it is worth looking into this gate after going into the courtyard, where there will be a statue of a very cheerful monk "Padre Pio".

Park Montagnola

Near the gates of Porta Galliera, you can go out and walk through the park, which is also called the gardens of Montagnola. There is a park and a gate next to the Bologna Centrale train station and the Autostazione Di Bologna bus station. The entrance to the park looks very impressive through the Pincio Stairs (Scalinata Del Pincio).

From the gates of Saragozza, the second part of the route will begin on public transport and here it is really needed, since it will be necessary to go uphill for about 1.5-2 km. And all this for the sake of one of the main attractions of Bologna - the Church of the Madonna di San Luca.

To get to it, you first need to take the 20 bus at the Porta Saragozza stop of the same name, after a few stops get off at Villa Spada, cross the road and take the 58 bus. Bus 58 runs in a circle near the church of the Madonna di San Luca.

Again, don't make my mistake and don't go up on foot, as it is very tiring and time consuming. No matter how tempting it may sound to conquer the longest covered gallery in the world, but it is better to conquer it by descending from top to bottom. As confirmation, even in cool November, I had to undress in order not to sweat so much when I got up.

I will not retell my rise in detail here, you can read it in the story, but here I will give only a few photos.

Walking down the gallery to the Arch of Meloncello, you can take bus 20 and go to the very center of Bologna.

Historic center of Bologna

From bus 20 you can get off at the Farini stop, the Piazza Galvani square with the monument to Luigi Galvani in its center will be a landmark that you got off correctly. The photo of the square and the monument was preserved only at night, since during the day I did not attach importance to it, and only in the backlight did I like it. Immediately, a folk saying is recalled that decent girls do not agree the first time, and especially to proposals from monuments.

Opposite the monument is the Archigymnasium. This part of the building was once part of the University of Bologna where many famous figures studied. You can enter the building and see a small museum exhibition, as well as walk along the painted corridors. The lighting inside is very poor, which is reflected in the photographs.

Piazza Maggiore - Piazza Maggiore

Leaving the gymnasium along the small lane Via dell'Archiginnasio along the Basilica of San Petronio, we will exit to the main square of Bologna - Piazza Maggiore. Many important buildings for the city are located around the square - the Basilica of San Petronio, Palazzo dei Banchi, Podesta Palace, Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), Palace of Notaries.

Some of them look best in night illumination, so I post a "hodgepodge" of day and night photos of the square.

If you enter the courtyard of the Town Hall, you can find the Wishing Well there.

We continue to walk around the Town Hall and to the left of it we find a small corner with original sculptures. Most likely this is an advertisement for a nearby store, but I could be wrong, since I did not find any information about this place.

If you go deep into this street Via IV Novembre to its very end, you can diversify your collection of churches with two more.

Squares of Bologna

Now we will move from square to square, which are located around the central Piazza Maggiore and occasionally go into far corners to see another Catholic church.

The first will be two squares at once, passing one into the other - Piazza Re Enzo and Neptune Square. The Palazzo Re Enzo combines these two squares. On reverse side there was also a fountain of Neptune, but it was under restoration.

We stand with our backs to this palace and look out for Via dell'Indipendenza. This is the main shopping street of Bologna that leads to the railway station, and it starts from the Cathedral of San Pietro.

Somewhere behind one of the turns into Via Manzoni is the Church of Our Lady of Gallier and the Museum of the Middle Ages.

The last objects do not fit well on a tourist route and pale in comparison with other sights of Bologna, so visiting them is a free program. We return back to the center to see the symbol of Bologna - two adjacent towers, which are called the Two Towers.

The green dome behind the towers is the parish of Santi Bartolomeo e Gaetano. It will not be possible to photograph it separately, since it is a single building with towers.

Next to the towers is the Palace of Commerce, but its main purpose was the Commercial Court, which resolved disputes between merchants and announced its decisions from the balcony.

From the Two Towers, 5 streets depart like the sun's rays, and each of them will lead to its historical gate from which we began to explore Bologna. You can walk along each of them and meet several Catholic churches and other not so important buildings. Since I walked along 3 of the 5 streets, I will show photos of each of them, and it will be easier for you to decide whether to go there or not.

Via Zamboni and Porta San Donato

The street ends with the Porta San Donato gate, and the Church of St. Sigismund is not located directly on the street behind one of the turns, as can be seen from the photo.

Street Maggiore and Porta Maggiore gate

There are much fewer sights on this street, and it ends with the gates of Porta Maggiore.

Via Santo Stefano and Porta Santo Stefano

The name of the street immediately speaks of the main attraction - the Church of Santo Stefano, as well as the square of the same name. It seems to be another church, but it has something that is not available in others - this is access to the courtyard.

Since you came here, then somewhere in the neighboring courtyards try to find the Church of San Giovanni in Monte Oliveto (San Giovanni in Monte Oliveto). I will not show a photo of it, but I will make a mark on the map.

Nice bonus in Bologna

If you decide to stop on my recommendation, then a few attractions within a couple of minutes walk will be a nice bonus. The first one I have already shown is the SS church. Annunziata a Porta Procula, which is visible immediately when leaving the apartment, but the rest hid in small courtyards nearby.

The most interesting among them for me was the Parish of St. Dominic on whose organ Mozart learned to play. But the parish itself is famous not for this, but for the fact that St. Dominic himself died here and his relics are kept.

This is all Bologna seen in 1 day, although I lived here for 3 nights. We arrived late in the evening and left early in the morning. Bologna saw us off in the same way as she met us in the night illumination, but already with deserted streets, unlike in the evening.

Cost of a trip to Bologna for 2 days

1. — 15€
2. Bus to / from the Airport - 2.6 € (1.3 € + 1.3 €)
3. for 2 — 120€ (for one 60€)
4. — 10€

Total for 3 incomplete days in Bologna 87.6€ per person excluding food costs.