Basilica di San Petronio
Bologna's largest church is named
after the city's patron saint. It
was built in the late 14th century
whereas the central doorway sculpted
by Jacopo della Quercia dates from
1425. The chapels inside house
beautiful frescoes by Giovanni da
Modena and Jacopo di Paolo.
Fontana del Nettuno
The enormous Fontana del Nettuno is
situated on the wide street
connecting Piazza Maggiore with
Piazza del Nettuno. Built in 1566
and designed by Jean Boulogne de
Douai, the fountain is guarded by a
massive statue of Neptune carrying a
triden and attended by four angels
who represented the four continents
known to the Renaissance world.
Le Due Torri
Bologna is home to two of Italy's
popular leaning towers. One is the
Torres degli Asinelli (Tower of the
Asinelli) and the Torres degli
Garisenda (Tower of the Garisenda).
The Tower of the Asinelli and its
498 steps is still climbable with
its lean of 1.3 m, but another
tower's lean of 3.2 m. is reserved
for sight only as it threathens to
tumble if climbed.
Palazzo Comunale
Palazzo Comunale is Bologna's town
hall and it occupies the area on the
western side of the city's two main
piazzas. One of its spectacular
features include the grandiose
central staircase wide enough for
horse drawn carriages to transport
their noble occupants up to the
first floor.
Piazza Maggiore
The vast space of the Piazza
Maggiore stands in the center of
Bologna's oldest district and is
surrounded by some of the most
exquisite medieval and Renaissance
structures in the city. This is a
popular and ever-busy meeting point
for both locals and tourists.
University Quarter
The University Quarter is a thriving
district northeast of Le Due Torri
(the two leaning towers). This is a
very popular area for chilling out
and take a break in the bars and
cafés after you've paid your
visit to the historic monuments and
churches in Bologna.
Basilica Santuario della
Madonna di San Luca
This 18th century basilica is
squatted on the hill-top which is
visible from most parts of Bologna.
It is connected to the city walls by
a long portico made up of 666
arches.
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