Bologna is especially easy to discover through its porticoes. The UNESCO porticoes comprise a selection of twelve porticoes within the city’s network of porticoed streets, which extends for a total of 62 kilometres and is the largest in the world. The twelve selected porticoes are part of a much larger whole. The tradition of building and maintaining porticoes dates from the 12th to the 21st century. Their use is also part of the city’s character: the covered spaces of the twelve selected porticoes remain privately owned and are open to public use.
Porticoes on different scales
One particularly striking route connects Porta Saragozza to the Santuario di San Luca. A four-kilometre road that begins at Porta Saragozza is connected to a portico. With more than 600 arches, it is considered the longest in the world. Alongside the extensive citywide network, you can also follow this clearly defined route to the Santuario. The four kilometres refer to this individual route; the 62 kilometres refer to the city’s porticoed street network as a whole.
Different facets of Bologna’s architectural heritage can also be seen in its historic centre. Bologna’s medieval old town is one of the largest and best-preserved in Europe. The Pavaglione, Banchi and Piazza Maggiore component includes one of Europe’s most significant and best-preserved medieval public spaces. The Pavaglione is also the longest uninterrupted portico in Bologna. These details reveal both the scale of the historic whole and the distinctive character of individual sections.
Architecture and the history of knowledge
Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio tells the story of a specific change in university teaching. It was built in 1562 and 1563 at the request of the papal legate, Cardinal Carlo Borromeo, and the vice-legate, Pier Donato Cesi. It was designed by the Bolognese architect Antonio Morandi, known as Terribilia. The building was intended to provide a single home for teaching that had previously been spread across various locations. The history of the Palazzo is therefore closely linked to the organisation of study.
A special part of the Archiginnasio is the Teatro Anatomico. Antonio Paolucci, known as il Levanti and a pupil of the Carracci, designed it in 1637 for anatomy lessons. The room is made of fir wood. Two rows of statues shape its interior: twelve famous physicians stand below, and twenty of the most renowned anatomists of the Bolognese Studio stand above. Together, the construction date, original function, material and figures tell the story of the connection between architecture and teaching.
The Basilica di San Petronio holds another historical detail: its organ was built around 1470 by Lorenzo da Prato and is considered the oldest organ in the world still in use. If you are interested in Bologna’s musical history, you can connect this heritage with the city’s current cultural focus. Bologna holds the title of “Creative City of Music”. The Sala della Musica is Italy’s first permanent exhibition dedicated to the history of a city’s popular music.
Old town, cuisine and outdoor discoveries
The Quadrilatero is in the heart of the historic old town. Its artisan, mercantile and commercial traditions date back to the Middle Ages. Bologna’s culinary heritage also has a long history: fresh egg pasta is among the city’s best-known products, and the tradition is based on recipes passed down through generations. A traditional cooking class is also offered in the city centre. If you would like to include it in your plans, check in advance whether it is available on your dates.
Not every discovery leads to a building or culinary tradition. Bologna offers several trekking routes throughout the year, where you can discover art, architecture and nature across the city. These routes add another perspective on the city’s historic sites. When making your selection, you can focus on the themes that interest you most: the long history of the porticoes, architecture and the history of knowledge, music or local cuisine. This offers different ways to explore, with Bologna itself as the shared setting for your trip.
Discover more destinations: Bologna, Castel Del Rio, Castel San Pietro Terme, Ripoli, Sasso Marconi, San Lazzaro Di Savena, San Giovanni In Persiceto, Quarto Inferiore, Porretta Terme, Pieve Di Cento, Pianoro, Mordano, Monzuno, Monteveglio, Monte San Pietro, Dozza, Crespellano, Castenaso, Castel Maggiore, Calderara Di Reno, Bentivoglio, Valsamoggia, Anzola Dell'emilia, Ozzano Dell Emilia, Tolè, Budrio, Molinella, San Pietro In Casale, Castel Guelfo Di Bologna, Medicina, Minerbio, Casalecchio Di Reno, Funo, Imola, Villanova, Portonovo, Castiglione Dei Pepoli, Marzabotto, Malalbergo, San Benedetto Val Di Sambro, Savigno, Calcara, Monterenzio, Argelato, Altedo, Granarolo Dell'emilia, Monghidoro, Loiano, San Vincenzo, Fontanelice, Castello Di Serravalle, Casalfiumanese, Castel D'aiano, Grizzana Morandi, Ponticelli, Sala Bolognese, Vidiciatico, Lizzano In Belvedere, Roncobilaccio, Sassoleone, Baricella, Gaggio Montano, Varignana-Palesio, Ponte Samoggia, Rastignano-Carteria Di Sesto, Sacerno, Fontana, Linaro, San Giorgio Di Piano, Borgonuovo, Crevalcore, Camugnano, Vergato, Castel Di Casio, Castello D'argile, Pizzano, Rioveggio, Ponte della Venturina, Zappolino, Santa Viola, Noce, Suviana, San Martino in Pedriolo, Pian del Voglio, Granaglione, Sant'Agata Bolognese, San Marino, Farneto, Tossignano, Cà Bianca, Casette di Funo, Baragazza, Molino del Pallone, Pioppe, Borgo Tossignano, Brento, Scuola, Fiumetto, Madonna dei Fornelli, I Casoni.
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