Thanks to a rich heritage of architectural styles, Bologna's buildings offer a suggestive glimpse into the historical layout of the Emilian capital.
Currently, some of these have been made accessible to the public, while others remain home to private homes or offices. Today we offer a quick tour of Bologna 's main historic buildings .
Palazzo D'Accursio – Among Bologna's Historic Buildings
Located in Piazza Maggiore and home to Bologna's City Hall, Palazzo d'Accursio is the result of the fusion of a series of buildings that were added over the centuries. Our first stop among Bologna 's historic buildings takes its name from the famous jurist and master of law Accursio, who made it his home in the 13th century.
In the first half of the 14th century, the town hall underwent extensive renovations, including the addition of an astronomical clock adorned with a carousel of automatons to the tower. During the 16th century, the building was also equipped with a double flight of internal stairs designed by Bramante, one of the greatest exponents of Renaissance art.
Palazzo Re Enzo or Palatium Novum
Built during the first half of the 13th century, Palazzo Re Enzo is among the historic buildings of Bologna that can be admired from Piazza Maggiore. Initially designed to expand the existing municipal buildings and for this reason also known as Palatium Novum , this historic palace in Bologna is best remembered for the legends surrounding King Enzo of Sardinia, who lived there during his imprisonment.
Initially held prisoner in Anzola, Emilia, the king apparently spent his nights in solitary confinement in a cage suspended from the ceiling, under constant surveillance. There are several stories about his escape attempts, perhaps the most famous of which is that he allegedly escaped in a wooden wine basket, which was foiled by an elderly lady who recognized the king's thick blond hair.
Podestà Palace
Among Bologna 's historic buildings in the city center is Palazzo Podestà, located next to the Palazzo Comunale and the Basilica of San Petronio. Built around the 13th century, Palazzo Podestà was originally used as the seat of the podestà and his officials, hence its name.
Palazzo Podestà, one of Bologna 's most famous historic buildings , is an architectural complex traversed by two streets. At the intersection, you can admire the Torre dell'Arengo, whose bell served as a call to citizens during special events. The tower stands above the Voltone del Podestà, once known as a place for hangings, which could be seen from Piazza Maggiore.
Even today, the Voltone arouses the curiosity of tourists due to the particular acoustics of its walls: by speaking in a low voice with your face turned towards one of the four corners, anyone standing at one of the opposite corners can hear what is being said on the other side.
Fava Palace
Better known as Palazzo Fava-Ghisilieri, this historic Bologna building is located on Via Manzoni and houses the Palazzo delle Esposizioni and its famous Caffè Letterario Carracci-Fava. Although it dates back much further, the Fava family acquired it in the mid-16th century and, almost twenty years later, hired the Carracci brothers to decorate the rooms on the main floor with stories from the Aeneid and a frieze dedicated to the myth of Jason.
In addition to the rooms dedicated to important works by the Carracci brothers, the Palazzo delle Esposizioni, located in this historic building in Bologna, contains a series of exhibition areas where you can admire numerous works of modern and contemporary art.
Plan your tour of Bologna among the city's historic buildings
Would you like to see Bologna's main historic buildings with your own eyes? Contact Hotel Maggiore and request a personalized quote: we're a hotel near the historic center , boasting an enviable location and easy access, no matter how you arrive in the city.
Once you arrive, you can ask reception for suggestions on what to see in Bologna. We're ready to recommend things to see in Bologna , starting with a guided tour of the historic buildings and other important buildings. Book now on our website: request a quote tailored to your travel needs for one of our rooms or residence apartments.
We also recommend you
