This monument of marble and bronze was
built by the "Flemish" Giambologna according to a design by
Tommaso Laureti in 1563. It represents the symbol of papal
power: while Neptune rules over the seas the Pope dominates over
the land.
At the foot of the God are four cherubs which
represent the Ganges, the Nile, the Amazon and the Danube-the
rivers of the continents known to humans at the time. p>
Originally called Palatium Novum because
it was added on to the older Palazzo del Podesta', it was later
renamed Palazzo Re Enzo, as it became the prison of Enzo, son of
the Emperor Frederic the Second, who was defeated by the people
of Bologna in the battle of Fossalta in 1249.
Only a part of the
building can be visited; from the courtyard, you go up the
staircase leading to a "loggia" or gallery with a spectacular
view.
Open: open to the public only during the exhibitions.
The present building is a 15th century
reconstruction of the old 13th century palace. It was designed
by A.Fioravanti and built in sandstone in 1483. The medieval
tower reaching into the sky is fruit of Master Alberto's genious:
a true masterpiece of engineering, it doesn't stand on the
ground but on the pillars of the arched Podesta' vault. Open:
open to the public only during the exhibitions.
This was the latest building constructed
on the square:it is actually thought as a scenic facade to hide
the narrow streets of the market in the back. Designed by
Vignola, it dates back to the second half of the 16th century.
Its facade is composed of 15 arches, two of which allow the
access to the Clavature and Pescherie streets. Only the exterior
is visible.
6 - PALAZZO DEI NOTAI via Pignattari, 1-Notai
Palace
This used to be the seat of the ancient
and powerful Corporation of Notaries. It is has two different
parts: the first, towards the church, was built under the
supervision of Antonio di Vincenzo, while the construction of
the second, more recent one, was directed by B.Fioravanti in
1440s. The difference can be seen in the double lancet windows.
Opening hours:Notai Hall/Internet Cafè: Mon and Fri 8.30-14.30,
Tue/Wed/Thu 8.30-18. Closed:Sat and Sun. Entrance free.List
of the villas,historical residences and palaces of Bologna
7 - BASILICA DI S.PETRONIO Piazza Maggiore -
Basilica of saint Petronius
Its construction began in 1390 to
celebrate the victory of the people of Bologna over the
Florentine people and the Pope. It is a civic temple, that is,
belonging to the citizens. It has never been completed and its
construction continued up to the 17th century. Pink marble and
bricks were used for the facade, and the massive central door is
a masterpiece of Jacopo della Quercia, on which he sculpted
scenes from the Old and the New Testament. In the inside:the
Altar of the 2nd chapel to the left holds the funerary Urn with
the remains of Saint Petronius. The particular illuminaion of
the church is due to its north-south orientation. The sundial,
which is the largest one to be found in an enclosed area, was
built by the astronomer Cassini in the 17th century. Among the
chapels, the 4th from the left, attributable to Bolognini, is
famous for its exquisite decoration. The frescoes are the work
of Giovanni da Modena who represented Hell, Paradise and the
Coronation od the Virgin on the left wall and, on the right, the
journey of Three Kings. Entrance free. List
of the most interesting churches
8 - PALAZZO D'ACCURSIO Piazza Maggiore, 6-D'Accursio
Palace-Town Hall
It is made up of two distinct
constructions. The building on the left, the older of the two,
was the residence of the Accursio family, giving its name to the
whole building.It belonged to the Magistracy of the Elders from
1336. The clock tower was built in 1444. The right part of the
building is fully Gothic characterised by eight double lancet
windows and a great window in the lower part. It was built in
the mid-16th century by Galeazzo Alessi. The same architect
built the triumphal entrance on whose upper part stands the
statue of Gregory XIII, responsible for introducing the reform
of the calendar. The building now houses local council offices
but from the 16th to the 19th century it was the official
residence of the Papal legate.The Chapel and the Sala Farnese,
the Sala d'Ercole, the Sala Rossa, the Council Chamber and what
was previously the Sala Borsa (now the center of the new Council
library) are all open to public view. Archaeological exhibits
can also be seen in the library (entry from Piazza Nettuno). Morandi Museum-Inaugurated in
1993 on the occasion of the donation of a collection by the
painter's sisters, it includes about 200 works of art which span
the artist's entire career, from youth to maturity. The museum
houses aquarelles, etchings, drawings and a reconstruction of
Morandi's studio which was located in the central Via Fondazza. Municipal Art Collection and Appartments of the Legate
Cardinal-It includes pieces from
private collections (Palagi,Pepoli,etc.) arranged in the halls
of the Accursio Palace. Among others, there are pieces dating to
the 14th century, as well as pieces by Tintoretto and Carracci.List
of museums and collections and List of the villas, historical residences and palaces of Bologna
These are to be considered the symbol of
the city. Originally, during the Middle Ages, Bologna counted
about seventy towers and house-towers. The construction of the
Garisenda tower began arond 1120 to celebrate the banishment of
the imperial legate, but was left incomplete due to the
incliantion of the ground. Construction of the Asinelli tower
began right afterwords, and bears the name of the family who
owned it. It is 97 m high (498 stairs) and together with the
Garisenda (47m), is under constant observation to measure and
contain the incliantion. List of villas,historical residences and palaces
Built by Antonio di Vincenzo in 1384, the
palace itself is in clay brick while the double lancet windows
and the balcony are in marble. The palace, in Gothic style, is
characterised by two ogival arches and a long upper frieze
displaying the coats of arms of the city guilds. In niches found
on the left and on the right are patron saints of the city,
while the statue of Justice is in the central one. The palace
was destroyed by the bombings during World War II and later
rebuilt. Access limited to the entrance hall/groups only by
request. List of villas, historical residences and palaces
This is actually a group of churches also
known as "Holy Jerusalem" because it recalls the passion of
Jesus. Its construction began in the 8th century and was erected
by the Longobards, who made their own church. On the left you
can see the church of St.Vitale and Agricola, so named for the
relics of the first martyrs of Bologna which originally lay
here; the church of the Holy Sepulchre, within which is housed
the small central temple intended to bring to mind the sepulchre
of Christ of Jerusalem (until the year 2000 it contained the
remains of Saint Petronius) and the church of Saint John the
Baptist. Inside, there are two medieval cloisters, the church of
the Holy Trinity and the Museum of St.Stefano. List of the most interesting churches
This building was the seat of Bologna
University from the 16th century until the 1803 when the offices
moved to Palazzo Poggi (Via Zamboni 33). From
the 1838 the building housed the Council library. The building
is the work of the architect Antonio Morandi, known as "Terribilia".
The Anatomy Theatre, in cedar and deal, forms part of the
interior. It was used for the staging of the experiments
conducted by the Faculty of Medicine.List
of villas, historical residences and palaces
Its construction began shortly after the
death of the Saint (1221). The beauty of the church is mostly
attributable to the tomb of Saint Dominic placed inside.
In this
magnificent piece of architecture built in different periods are
two remarkable pieces: the 13th century sarcophagus by Nicola
Pisano and Arnolfo Cambio, representing episodes of the Saint's
life-the crowning by Niccolo' da Puglia, who was named "Dell'Arca"-"of
the Ark"-after this masterpiece. The candleholder on the right,
an angel, was made by Michelangelo. We also reccomend a visit to
the wooden choir inlaid by Brother Damiano-Fra Damiano
(1528-51), to the "Mystical Wedding of St.Catherine" by
Filippino Lippi, to the "Crucifix" by Giunta Pisano and to the
15 "Mysteries of the Rosary", a collective piece of art created
by the painters: Calvart, Cesi, L.Carracci, Reni, Albani,
Domenichino e L.Fontana. Outside, you can see the tombs of the "Glossatori"
(masters of Roman law): tomb of Rolandino de'Passeggeri and near
the wall on the left tomb of Egidio de'Foscherari. List of the most interesting churches
