Bologna in a Half Day

Bologna is a strange and unique town, it has one of the largest medieval centres in Europe, it’s lively and joyful, it will surprise you! Come with me, I will reveal you some of its secrets!

The walking tour starts from Piazza Maggiore, Bologna’s beating heart. Around this square we can see some of the most interesting palaces of this wonderful town, as the Palazzo dei Banchi, the Palazzo del  Podestà also called Palazzo Vecchio, and the Palazzo d’Accursio which today is Bologna’s City Hall. This is one of the buildings where the history of Bologna has been made. On the square we can also see the impressive church of Saint Petronio, Bologna’s Patron. Its beautiful portal has been sculpted by Jacopo della Quercia, it is now possible to admire it in all its beautiful splendour, because it has just been restored. Inside the church we will see several paintings and frescos by Giovanni da Modena, Lorenzo Costa, Amico Aspertini, Parmigianino and more, as well as the incredible sundial designed by Dianti e Cassini.

Our walking tour continues with the Archiginnasio. This building is not far from San Petronio, and it was Bologna’s University. Its interior is  richly decorated with an incredible collection of coats of arms belonging to the most important students and professors of the old University, as well as to the Cardinals that governed Bologna in the past. Moreover on the first floor there is a really surprising room: the Anatomical Theatre, an ancient autopsy room. On the same floor there also is the  Stabat Mater Room. Here Gaetano Donizzetti conducted the bolognese first performance of Rossini’s masterpiece. Rossini was born in Pesaro, but he studied and lived in Bologna for a long time.

At the end we walk through Bologna’s medieval market, where we can see the old  shops of fishmongers, grocers, bakers and, of course, delicatessens  where where one can taste and buy mortadella, tortellini, cheese, wines and everything that the delicious local gastronomy can offer.

Then we arrive at the Two Towers, Bologna’s symbol since ever. They are two extraordinary medieval buildings, that today belong to the City Hall. The highest of them the Torre degli Asinelli is the second highest tower in Italy. At the end of the tour the most courageous of you will have the chance of going up to the top of the tower to enjoy a breathtaking view.

The tour ends at Santo Stefano, a group of buildings called the seven churches. They are the religious heart of the medieval Bologna.