The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and San Geminiano is the Cathedral of Modena, located on Corso Duomo, in the historical center of the city. The Cathedral of Modena is a masterpiece of the Romanesque style, built on the site of the tomb of San Geminiano (Saint Geminianus), patron saint of Modena. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and San Geminiano, along with its bell tower (Torre Ghirlandina) and the adjacent Piazza Grande were included in 1997 in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. SHORT HISTORY OF THE CATHEDRAL OF SANTA MARIA ASSUNTA AND SAN GEMINIANO After the ancient Mutina was destroyed by invasions, earthquakes and floods, and the inhabitants moved to Cittanova, the bishop continued to reside in the main church of the city, where the remains of the patron saint were kept. Over time, a residential nucleus formed around the church, which became the center of today’s Modena. Around the middle of the 11th century, the ancient church was replaced by a larger one, which, however, due to the lack of skills of the builders, threatened to collapse towards the end of the century. Consequently, the people of Modena, independently from the imperial and ecclesiastical powers Read more [...]
All Places in Emilia-Romagna
Palazzo Ducale
Palazzo Ducale is a large palace in Modena, located in Piazza Roma, in the northern part of the historical center of the city. The Ducal Palace of Modena, one of the most important Baroque structures in Italy, was the seat of the House of Este between the 17th and 19th centuries. Subsequently, since the Italian unification, Palazzo Ducale housed the prestigious Military Academy of Modena (Accademia Militare di Modena). SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO DUCALE Palazzo Ducale was built starting with 1634 on the site of the ancient Este castle, which during the Middle Ages stood on the city limits and was connected to a navigable canal. The works, initially entrusted to the architect Gaspare Vigarani, were later continued by Bartolomeo Avanzini. The project was supervised by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. On June 25, 1805, Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Giuseppina Beauharnais, after their coronation as sovereigns of the Kingdom of Italy, entered Modena in triumph and lodged in the Ducal Palace, renamed during their visit as Palazzo Nazionale. Napoleon stayed only one day in the palace, but appropriated numerous works of art and goods from the Este collections. On September 8, 1943, during the Second World War, the building was Read more [...]
Basilica of San Vitale
The Basilica of San Vitale is a church in Ravenna, located in Via San Vitale, a few meters away from the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. SHORT HISTORY OF THE BASILICA OF SAN VITALE The Basilica of San Vitale was built by Bishop Ecclesio, starting with 532, and completed by his successor, Archbishop Maximian, in 547, when Ravenna was already ruled by the Roman Emperor Justinian. An exemplary masterpiece of early Byzantine art, the basilica was included in 1996 on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites entitled Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna. ARCHITECTURE OF THE BASILICA OF SAN VITALE The Basilica of San Vitale combines Roman architectural elements (the dome, the portals, the towers) with Byzantine elements (the polygonal apse, the capitals, the bricks). From the geometric shape of the main nucleus, emerge rigorously defined bodies – the raised tiburium (lantern tower), octagonal, and the apse, polygonal on the outside, semicircular on the inside, and flanked by two small rooms. The interior is accessed through two portals – one aligned with the apse, the other oblique. Consequently, also the narthex (antechamber), instead of being tangent to the front side of the octagon, is arranged obliquely. The interior space Read more [...]
Tempio Malatestiano
Tempio Malatestiano, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Colomba, is the Cathedral of Rimini, located in Via IV Novembre. SHORT HISTORY OF TEMPIO MALATESTIANO A chapel dedicated to Santa Maria in Trivio is documented on this site in the 9th century. The chapel was demolished in 1257, to allow the construction of a larger church in Gothic style, dedicated to San Francesco and supported by the Franciscan order. Between the 13th and 14th centuries, two chapels were added on the southern side of the church. Despite its modest size, the structure was enriched by altars and works of art, including works by Giotto. In 1312, it was already used as a burial place for the Malatesta family. Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, Lord of Rimini, decided to built a chapel dedicated to San Sigismondo, and entrusted the project to Matteo de’ Pasti from Verona. On October 31, 1447, the first stone of Tempio Malatestiano was laid. In the following years, after a successful series of victories, Sigismondo decided to extend the project to the entire structure. Leon Battista Alberti was entrusted with the project of a new church, which included the addition of a rotunda in the rear part of Read more [...]
Castello Estense
Castello Estense (Este Castle), also known as Castello di San Michele (Saint Michael’s Castle), is a moated medieval castle in Ferrara, located in the historical center of the city. SHORT HISTORY OF CASTELLO ESTENSE In May 1385, the people of Ferrara, hearing of another tax increase, revolted against it. The Marquis Niccolò II d’Este tried to calm them down, but when he realized the people were getting more and more angry, he handed over to them the high official held responsible for the taxes, Tommaso da Tortona, and the crowd tore him to pieces. After this incident, Niccolò II considered it essential to equip himself with a fortified structure for the defense of his court. The work was commissioned to the architect Bartolino da Novara, former architect of Castello Visconteo of Pavia and Castello di San Giorgio of Mantua. The first stone of the Este Castle was laid on September 29, 1385, the day of Saint Michael. Bartolino da Novara used a pre-existing tower (Torre dei Leoni), added three more towers – the Marchesana Tower to the southeast, the Tower of San Paolo to the southwest, and the Tower of Santa Caterina to the northwest, and then joined them Read more [...]
Torre degli Asinelli
Torre degli Asinelli (Asinelli Tower), the tallest medieval leaning tower in the world, is located in Bologna, in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, about 350 meters away from Piazza Maggiore. Together with the nearby Garisenda Tower (Torre della Garisenda), forms the architectural complex named Two Towers (Due Torri), symbol of the city of Bologna. SHORT HISTORY We do not know exactly who built the Asinelli Tower, but it seems that the tower owes its name to Gherardo Asinelli, a noble knight of the Ghibelline faction in Bologna, who began its constuction on October 11, 1109, and finished ten years later, in 1119. At the end of the 14th century, with the decline of the Asinelli family, the tower was purchased by the Municipality of Bologna to be used as a prison and fortress. During the same period, a wooden frame was built around the tower, placed thirty meters above the ground, joined with the Garisenda Tower through a walkway. The walkway was destroyed by a fire in 1398. Over the centuries, the Asinelli Tower was struck by lightning many times, until a lightning rod was installed in 1824. In 1888, the engineer Alessandro Ferretti proposed to mount an elevator inside Read more [...]
Basilica of San Petronio
With 132 meters in length and 60 meters wide, the Basilica of San Petronio is the sixth largest church in Europe, despite being largely unfinished. Although is not the cathedral of Bologna, a title that belongs to the nearby Cathedral of San Pietro, it can be considered the main church of the city. SHORT HISTORY In the 14th century, the Bolognese aristocracy revived the cult of San Petronio, bishop of Bologna during the 5th century, and planned to build a church dedicated to him. On June 7, 1390, the first stone was laid in a solemn procession. The project was given to the architect Antonio di Vicenzo, who consulted on the design of the church with the father Andrea Manfredi. At the beginning of the 15th century, di Vicenzo died, and the Papal Legate Baldassarre Cossa, an enemy of the Municipality of Bologna, took advantage of the architect’s death to sell the material gathered for the construction of the church. In 1507, the architect Arduino Arriguzzi was comissioned to continue the work. Arriguzzi was sent to Florence to see and study the dome built by Brunelleschi for the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. On April 30, 1514, the Read more [...]
Locanda La Concia
Locanda La Concia is a guesthouse in Reggio Emilia, located in Via della Concia, in the southern part of the historical center of the city. ABOUT LOCANDA LA CONCIA The guesthouse offers rooms with a private bathroom equipped with a walk-in shower and a hair dryer. All units in the guest house are fitted with a coffee machine, air conditioning and a desk, while some rooms feature a terrace. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. The guesthouse also has a rooftop pool. HOW TO GET TO LOCANDA LA CONCIA The guesthouse is located about 1.2 kilometers away from the Reggio Emilia railway station. The closest bus stop is located in Via Lodovico Ariosto, about 100 meters away, on the bus Lines 04 and 06.
Albergo Morandi
Albergo Morandi is a 3-Star hotel in Reggio Emilia, located in Via Emilia San Pietro, in the eastern part of the historical center of the city. ABOUT ALBERGO MORANDI The hotel offers soundproofed rooms with air conditioning. The rooms feature a minibar, a work desk, and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The hotel also offers free parking and free WiFi. The varied breakfast buffet is available every morning, and includes products from the Emilia-Romagna region. The hotel’s bar specialises in local liqueurs. HOW TO GET TO ALBERGO MORANDI The hotel is located about 500 meters away from the Reggio Emilia railway station. The closest bus stop, located near the hotel, is Porta San Pietro, on the bus Lines E, E1 and H.
Mercure Reggio Emilia Centro Astoria
Mercure Reggio Emilia Centro Astoria is a 4-Star hotel in Reggio Emilia, located in Viale Leopoldo Nobili, about 150 meters from the Romolo Valli Municipal Theater. ABOUT MERCURE REGGIO EMILIA CENTRO ASTORIA The hotel offers rooms equipped with LCD TV with multimedia options and international channels. Free WiFi, a modern fitness center and free parking are also available at the property. A sweet and savoury breakfast buffet is available daily. Regional cuisine is served in the bright veranda overlooking the park, or at the Officina Gastronomica Restaurant. HOW TO GET TO MERCURE REGGIO EMILIA CENTRO ASTORIA The hotel is located about 1 kilometer away from the Reggio Emilia railway station. The closest bus stop is located in Via Nobili, about 100 meters away, on the bus Line H.
Hotel Villa Rosa Riviera
Hotel Villa Rosa Riviera is a 4-Star hotel in Rimini, located about 100 meters from the beach. ABOUT HOTEL VILLA ROSA RIVIERA The hotel features a gym with personal trainers, and air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. The rooms have a modern design or simple décor. Each room offers a LED TV with Mediaset Premium channels. The rooms on the top floor offer unique views of the Adriatic Sea. Breakfast is buffet style, and the hotel’s restaurant, Trattoria da Lucio, is specialised in seafood, pasta, and traditional Emilia-Romagna dishes. HOW TO GET TO HOTEL VILLA ROSA RIVIERA The hotel is located about 1.4 kilometers away from the Rimini railway station. The closest bus stop is Kennedy, located right in front of the hotel, on the bus Lines 10 and 11.
Alisei Palace Hotel
Alisei Palace Hotel is a 4-Star hotel in Rimini, located a few meters away from the beach. ABOUT ALISEI PALACE HOTEL The hotel offers rooms with lateral or full views of the Adriatic Sea. The rooms are soundproofed and equipped with satellite and cable TV, and private bathrooms with shower. All rooms have a balcony. The restaurant with sea views serves a selection of international and regional dishes, including pasta and fish. Breakfast is buffet style. The hotel offers free WiFi, and a large outdoor swimming pool. The Alisei Wellness & Spa features a hot tub, Finnish sauna and Turkish bath. A Kneipp path and emotional shower are also available, and you can drink herbal teas in the relaxation room. HOW TO GET TO ALISEI PALACE HOTEL The hotel is located about 2.4 kilometers away from the Rimini railway station. The closest Metromare stop is Pascoli, located about 600 meters away. The closest bus stop is Goldoni, about 80 meters away, on the bus Lines 10 and 11.
Hotel Cenisio
Hotel Cenisio is a 3-Star hotel in Rimini, located about 200 meters away from the beach. ABOUT HOTEL CENISIO The hotel features accommodation with a bar, a shared lounge, a terrace and a garden. The hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, a desk and a flat-screen TV. The rooms are fitted with a wardrobe and a private bathroom. Continental and buffet breakfast options are available each morning at the accommodation. HOW TO GET TO HOTEL CENISIO The hotel is located about 2.8 kilometers away from the Rimini railway station. The closest Metromare stop is Lagomaggio, located about 160 meters away. The closest bus stop is also called Lagomaggio, and is located about 140 meters away, in Viale Regina Elena, on the bus Lines 10 and 11.
Piazza Grande
Piazza Grande is the main square of Modena, located in the historical center of the city. The square, together with the Cathedral of Modena and the Ghirlandina Tower, was included in 1997 in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. SHORT HISTORY OF PIAZZA GRANDE The residential nucleus of the medieval Modena was formed around the ancient cathedral of the city, starting with the 7th century. Towards the end of the 9th century, the bishop Leodoino fortified the city, and the oldest part of the current Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall) was built near the cathedral. In 1099, the construction of the new cathedral began and the square began to take shape. Its northern side was defined by the Cathedral, the western side by the Bishop’s Palace, and the eastern side by the Town Hall. In 1501, Modena was hit by an earthquake, and the merlons of the Town Hall fell. In 1580, the square was cleaned, and the paving was arranged with stones and bricks. At the beginning of the 17th century, a new building was built on the southern side of the square for the Residence of the Judges (Residentia dei Giudici). In the first half of the Read more [...]
Basilica of Santa Maria in Porto
The Basilica of Santa Maria in Porto is a Baroque church in Ravenna, located in Via di Roma, in the southeastern part of the historical center of the city. SHORT HISTORY OF THE BASILICA OF SANTA MARIA IN PORTO In the first half of the 15th century, the Canons Regular of Santa Maria in Porto decided to build their own monastery in Porto Fuori, a village located about 4 kilometers from the walls of Ravenna. However, the Venetian rulers of Ravenna decided that the monastery will be built within the city walls. Therefore, a piece of land near Porta Nuova was purchased in 1496. The canons settled there in 1503, and the construction works on the monastery were completed in 1509. In 1511, the project for a new church was presented by the architect Bernardino Tavella. The construction of the church, however, began only in 1553, and continued in the following decades. On October 8, 1606, the archbishop of Ravenna together with the cardinal Pietro Aldobrandini consecrated the Basilica of Santa Maria in Porto. In 1710, the high altar was built and, in 1784, the facade was completed by the architect Camillo Morigia. In 1797, the French plundered the Read more [...]
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia is a funeral monument in Ravenna, located in Via Galla Placidia, in the northern part of the historical center of the city. SHORT HISTORY OF THE MAUSOLEUM OF GALLA PLACIDIA According to tradition, the structure was built by Galla Placidia, daughter of the Roman Emperor Theodosius I, and mother of the Emperor Valentinian III, for herself, her husband Constantius III and her brother Honorius. She was Queen consort to Ataulf, King of the Visigoths, between 414 and 415, Empress consort to Constantius III between 417 and 421, and managed the government administration as a regent during the early reign of Valentinian III. Although the legend has it that the body of Galla Placidia was brought back to Ravenna and placed in a sarcophagus in the mausoleum, it was almost certain that she died in Rome in 450, and she was buried in the Honorian Mausoleum. The mausoleum was probably used as a chapel of the Church of the Holy Cross (Chiesa di Santa Croce), located nearby. In 1996, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites entitled Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna. ARCHITECTURE OF THE MAUSOLEUM Read more [...]
Teatro Municipale Romolo Valli
Teatro Municipale Romolo Valli is the most important theater in Reggio Emilia, located in Piazza Martiri del 7 Luglio 1960, in the historical center of the city. Romolo Valli was a well-known Italian actor born in Reggio Emilia, who, throughout his career, collaborated with Vittorio De Sica, Sergio Leone, Roman Polanski, Roger Vadim, and Luchino Visconti. SHORT HISTORY OF TEATRO MUNICIPALE ROMOLO VALLI The building was designed and completed by the architect Cesare Costa of Modena, and built between 1852 and 1857. The works were directed by the local engineer Antonio Tegani. The theater was inaugurated on April 21, 1857, with the opera Vittor Pisani by the composer Achille Peri. ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF THE ROMOLO VALLI MUNICIPAL THEATER The building has a rectangular plan with a length of 80 meters and a width of about 44 meters, with two additional rectangular loggias. The Romolo Valli Municipal Theater has a Neoclassical facade on two orders, in brick and marble, with Tuscan columns on the ground floor and Ionic pilasters on the upper floor. The upper part of the facade has 13 rectangular windows surmounted by bas-reliefs. Allegorical statues are placed on the entablature of the facade. The interior Read more [...]
Piazza Camillo Prampolini
Piazza Camillo Prampolini, also known as Piazza del Duomo, is one of the main squares of Reggio Emilia, located in the historical center of the city. SHORT HISTORY OF PIAZZA CAMILLO PRAMPOLINI The square was born during the Renaissance period, and was known as Piazza Grande (Large Square), in contrast to Piazza San Prospero, which was called Piazza Piccola (Small Square). In the 19th century, the square was named after Vittorio Emanuele II, and after 1945 it was unofficially dedicated to the socialist politician Camillo Prampolini. ARCHITECTURE OF PIAZZA CAMILLO PRAMPOLINI The most important building in the square, located on its eastern side, is the Cathedral of Reggio Emilia, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. The Cathedral was built in Romanesque style starting with the 13th century. Its unfinished facade dates back to the 16th century. To the left of the Cathedral stands the Bishop’s Palace (Palazzo Vescovile) and the Baptistery built during the Middle Ages, which was later renovated and deprived of its main apse. On the northern side of the square stands Palazzo del Monte di Pietà, from which the Civic Tower (Torre Civica) with the clock rises. On the opposite side of the square, there Read more [...]
Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is the Cathedral of Reggio Emilia, located in Piazza Camillo Prampolini, in the historical center of the city. SHORT HISTORY OF THE CATHEDRAL OF SANTA MARIA ASSUNTA The first documents attesting to the existence of a church in the area date back to the middle of the 9th century. However, the structure was probably built in the 5th century. At the beginning of the 10th century, after repeated incursions of the Magyars, the Emperor Ludovico III entrusted bishop Pietro with the construction of the walls around the episcopal palace and the Cathedral. On December 26, 1228, the bell tower of the Cathedral collapsed. In 1268, under bishop Guido da Fogliano, the octagonal lantern and the current bell tower were built. In 1522, the enormous embossed copper statue of the Madonna with Child, by Bartolomeo Spani, was placed on the lantern. In 1544, Prospero Sogari, also known as Clemente, was commissioned to build the new facade of the church. The work on the facade started shortly after, but, due to lack of resources, it was stopped after a while. In 1557, the statues of Adam and Eve, also works by Spani, were placed above Read more [...]
Teatro Ludovico Ariosto
Teatro Ludovico Ariosto is the second most important theater of Reggio Emilia, after the Romolo Valli Municipal Theater. The theater is located in Piazza della Vittoria, in the historical center of the city. SHORT HISTORY OF TEATRO LUDOVICO ARIOSTO On this site, the Cittadella Theater (Teatro della Cittadella) was built between 1740 and 1741 to a design by Antonio Cugini. The Citadella Theater was destroyed by fire on the night of April 21, 1851. Traces of the old structure are still visible along the colonnade that borders the southern wall of the current theater, overlooking Corso Benedetto Cairoli. Teatro Ludovico Ariosto was erected in 1878. The project, on a design by the architect Achille Grimaldi, was financed by Ulderico Levi, a member of one of the most important Jewish families in the city. The Ludovico Ariosto Theater was designed as a space with multiple uses, suitable both for prose and for equestrian performances. In 1927, the Municipality carried out a profound renovation. The orchestra space was added, the structures necessary for the equestrian shows were eliminated, and the exterior and interior were decorated by Anselmo Govi with late Art Nouveau motifs. The last major restoration of the theater took Read more [...]
Piazze dei Teatri
Piazze dei Teatri (Squares of Theaters) are a complex of squares and streets in Reggio Emilia, located in the northern part of the historical center of the city. The squares are overlooked by the three main theaters of Reggio Emilia – Teatro Romolo Valli, Teatro Ludovico Ariosto and Teatro Cavallerizza. Piazze dei Teatri are composed of the following squares – Piazza Martiri del 7 Luglio 1960, located in front of the Romolo Valli Municipal Theater, and Piazza della Vittoria, located in front of the Ludovico Ariosto Theater. SHORT HISTORY OF PIAZZE DEI TEATRI From the beginning of the 19th century, the area underwent numerous transformations. Originally, the Cittadella Theater and the Ducal Palace overlooked this area. Both structures were demolished around the middle of the 19th century, and their place was taken by the Ludovico Ariosto Theater and the Romolo Valli Municipal Theater. The square in front of the Ariosto Theater, with the war memorial of the First World War, was the so-called Piazza d’Armi, renamed Piazza della Vittoria after 1918. ARCHITECTURE OF PIAZZE DEI TEATRI In the western part of Piazza della Vittoria, there is the Ludovico Ariosto Theater, built starting with 1878 on the remains of Read more [...]
Church of Christ
The Church of Christ (Chiesa del Cristo), also known as the Oratory of Christ (Oratorio del Cristo), is a Baroque church in Reggio Emilia. The church is located in Piazza Luigi Roversi, commonly known as Piazza del Cristo, in the southern part of the historical center of the city. SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST The church was built starting with 1758 by the religious congregation Compagnia del Suffragio, to shelter a fresco of a crucifix painted with oil on plaster during the plague which affected the region between 1630 and 1631. The facade of the church was added in 1761, on a project by the architect Giovan Battista Cattani, also known as Cavallari. The church was closed during the Napoleonic era, and it was reopened in 1814. In 1887, the structure was restored under the direction of the engineer Albertini. The church is now home to the Orthodox Romanian congregation. ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST The church has a characteristic Baroque convex facade decorated with statues and emblems. The facade has a large portal in the center, flanked by two pairs of columns with Composite capitals. Between the columns, there are niches housing Read more [...]
Church of San Francesco
The Church of San Francesco, also known as the Church of the Immaculate Conception and of San Francesco, is a church in Reggio Emilia, located in Piazza Martiri del 7 Luglio 1960. SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SAN FRANCESCO The church was built in the second half of the 13th century on a pre-existing structure dedicated to San Luca, which served as the chapel of the imperial palace. After having undergone various interventions over the centuries, the church was rebuilt in 1725, according to the project of the architect Giovanni Maria Ferraroni. Between 1856 and 1857, the facade of the church was rebuilt in Neoclassical style by Pietro Marchelli. ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF THE CHURCH OF SAN FRANCESCO The church has a terracotta facade surmounted by a triangular pediment supported by pilasters. Above the main portal, there is a mosaic of Saint Francis receiving the stigmata. The interior, in Baroque style, has a single nave with vaulted ceilings, a cupola and the choir. HOW TO GET TO THE CHURCH OF SAN FRANCESCO The church is located about 1 kilometer away from the Reggio Emilia railway station. The closest bus stop is located in Via Nobili, about Read more [...]
Castel Sismondo
Castel Sismondo, also known as Rocca Malatestiana, is a castle in Rimini, located in Piazza Malatesta, in the historical center of the city. SHORT HISTORY OF CASTEL SISMONDO Castel Sismondo was built at the behest of Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, Lord of Rimini, starting with 1437, in a period of great prosperity for the House of Malatesta. The castle was conceived both as a fortress and a palace of grandiose proportions, to represent the power of the lord over the city. Sigismondo was, in fact, the one who designed the castle, but was supported by various architects, such as Cristoforo Foschi, Matteo Nuti and Filippo Brunelleschi. The fortress was built on a pre-existing structure, a large fortified complex built by Sigismondo’s brother and predecessor, Galeotto Roberto. The construction began on May 20, 1437, and was completed about 15 years later, with some of the decorative works lasting until 1454. During the works, in order to create a large buffer zone around the moat, an entire complex of buildings was demolished, including the Baptistery of San Giovanni and the Convent of Santa Caterina. The decline of the House of Malatesta at the end of the 15th century determined the beginning of Read more [...]
Arco di Augusto
Arco di Augusto (Arch of Augustus) is a Roman triumphal arch in Rimini, located in the southern part of the historical center of the city. The Arch of Augustus is the best-preserved Roman arch in the world. Together with the Bridge of Tiberius, the arch is one of the symbols of Rimini, and both monuments appear on the coat of arms of the city. SHORT HISTORY OF ARCO DI AUGUSTO Arco di Augusto was built in 27 BC, by decree of the Roman Senate, in order to honor Emperor Augustus for having restored Via Flaminia, Via Emilia and Via Popilia. In fact, the arch marked the end of Via Flaminia, which connected Rimini to Rome, the capital of the Empire. Back then, Via Flaminia was continued by the decumanus maximus (east-west-oriented Roman road), today’s Corso d’Augusto, which led to the entrance to the ancient Via Emilia. Arco di Augusto remained the main gate of the city, flanked by modest buildings, until the Fascist period. Between 1936 and 1938, at the behest of Benito Mussolini, it was isolated by demolishing the adjacent buildings. ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF THE ARCH OF AUGUSTUS The arch was built in travertine from Nabresina, Read more [...]
Ponte di Tiberio
Ponte di Tiberio (Bridge of Tiberius), also known as the Bridge of Augustus, is a Roman bridge in Rimini, located in the northern part of the historical center of the city. SHORT HISTORY OF PONTE DI TIBERIO The construction of the Tiberius Bridge was started in 14 AD under the government of Emperor Augustus, and was completed in 21 AD under Emperor Tiberius. It served as a bridge over the Marecchia River, before the course of the river was diverted. The bridge is a national monument since 1885, and it appears on the coat of arms of Rimini. Until recently, the bridge was part of the city road network and was open to normal traffic, excluding heavy vehicles. The definitive pedestrianization of the bridge began on an experimental basis on May 30, 2020. ARCHITECTURE OF THE BRIDGE OF TIBERIUS The Bridge of Tiberius was built in Istrian stone, in a sober, but, at the same time, harmonious style. The bridge is paved with trachyte stones, has a width of 4.80 meters and a length of 74 meters. It is flanked by sidewalks about 30 centimeters high and about 60 centimeters wide. The structure is made up of five Read more [...]
Piazza Tre Martiri
Piazza Tre Martiri is one of the main squares of Rimini, located in the historical center of the city. SHORT HISTORY OF PIAZZA TRE MARTIRI The square is located on the site of the ancient Roman forum of Ariminum, at the intersection between the cardo and the decumanus maximus (the main north-south and west-east oriented Roman roads). In the Middle Ages, the square was known as Piazza delle Erbe, due to the market held there. Piazza Tre Martiri was remodeled in the 16th century, when it assumed its current elliptical configuration with arcades. At the beginning of the century, the small temple dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua was built. In 1547, the structure with the Clock Tower (Torre dell’Orologio) was erected. The Column of Julius Caesar was placed in the square in 1555 to celebrate the allocution addressed by the Roman general to his soldiers after they crossed the Rubicon. At the beginning of the 17th century, behind the Temple of Saint Anthony of Padua, the Minims of San Francesco di Paola founded the Paolotti Church (Chiesa dei Paolotti), which was rebuilt in 1729. In 1921, Via IV Novembre and Via Giuseppe Garibaldi were enlarged, and Arco dei Read more [...]
Palazzo dell’Arengo
Palazzo dell’Arengo, known in the past as Palatium Comunis, is a palace in Rimini, located in Piazza Cavour, between Palazzo del Podestà and Palazzo Garampi, in the historical center of the city. In the late Middle Ages, the council of the people of Rimini met in the palace. SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO DELL’ARENGO The loggia of Palazzo dell’Arengo was erected in 1204 by the podestà (chief magistrate) of Rimini, Mario de Carbonesi. The fact is remebered by an epigraph on one of the pillars of the loggia. The palace was restored several times, in 1562, in 1672, and between 1919 and 1923. The original construction was profoundly altered by these renovations. Today, Palazzo dell’Arengo, together with the adjacent Palazzo del Podestà, houses the new Museum of Contemporary Art of the City – PART, Palazzi dell’Arte Rimini. ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO DELL’ARENGO Palazzo dell’Arengo has a facade in Romanesque-Gothic style, surmounted by battlements, with a large loggia on the ground floor. The loggia is set on a massive colonnade which supports pointed arches. On the upper floor, there is a large hall with mullioned windows (Sala dell’Arengo), in which are preserved frescoes of the Rimini school from the Read more [...]
Palazzo del Podestà
Palazzo del Podestà is a medieval palace in Rimini, located in Piazza Cavour, between Palazzo dell’Arengo and the Amintore Galli Theater. SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO DEL PODESTÀ The palace was built in 1334, more than a century after Palazzo dell’Arengo, and was the seat of the podestà, the chief magistrate of the city of Rimini. The palace undergone considerable transformations over the years. Between 1912 and 1922, it was restored by the architect Gaspare Rastrelli. Since 2020, Palazzo del Podestà, together with the adjacent Palazzo dell’Arengo, houses the new Museum of Contemporary Art of the City – PART, Palazzi dell’Arte Rimini. ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO DEL PODESTÀ The palace has a Gothic facade with three pointed arches on the ground floor and five small windows on the upper floor. The facade is surmounted by battlements. HOW TO GET TO PALAZZO DEL PODESTÀ Palazzo del Podestà is located about 900 meters away from the Rimini railway station. The closest bus stop is Duomo, about 450 meters away, on the bus Line 1.
Piazza Malatesta
Piazza Malatesta, once known as Piazza del Corso, is one of the main squares of Rimini, located in the northern part of the historical center of the city. SHORT HISTORY OF PIAZZA MALATESTA The square has medieval origins, and was attached to Piazza Cavour until the 17th century, when the public granary was built, and closed its eastern side. In the mid-19th century, the granary was replaced by the Vittorio Emanuele II Municipal Theater (Teatro Vittorio Emanuele II), today the Amintore Galli Theater (Teatro Amintore Galli). Most of the square was formerly occupied by the large moat of Castel Sismondo, filled in the 19th century. In the last decades, the square was used as a parking lot and market area. In 2015, a new renovation project started, which was completed in 2018, when the square returned to its Renaissance appearance. ARCHITECTURE OF PIAZZA MALATESTA The square covers an area of about 11,000 square meters, in front of the magnificent Castel Sismondo. Castel Sismondo, located in the western part of the square, was built at the behest of Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, Lord of Rimini, starting with 1437, and completed about 15 years later. In the eastern side of Piazza Read more [...]
Piazza Cavour
Piazza Cavour is the main square of Rimini, located in the northern part of the historical center of the city. SHORT HISTORY OF PIAZZA CAVOUR Piazza Cavour became the political and economic center of the city at the beginning of the 13th century, when it gained importance after the construction of Palazzo dell’Arengo. During the 16th century, the square was named Piazza del Comune (Town Square) or Piazza della Fontana (Fountain Square) and underwent important changes. The old Palazzo dell’Arengo was enlarged and joined to the new Palazzo Garampi, in a single large monumental complex, while the Palace of San Silvestro, which closed the square towards Corso d’Augusto, was completely demolished. Between 1615 and 1620, on the western side of the square, the public granary was built, replaced in the mid-19th century by the Vittorio Emanuele II Theater (Teatro Vittorio Emanuele II), today the Amintore Galli Theater (Teatro Amintore Galli). ARCHITECTURE OF PIAZZA CAVOUR Three municipal buildings – Palazzo del Podestà, Palazzo dell’Arengo and Palazzo Garampi, define the northern side of the square. Palazzo dell’Arengo was built starting with 1204, and it was the meeting place for the council of the people of Rimini. It has a loggia Read more [...]
Palazzo Massani
Palazzo Massani is a Neoclassical palace in Rimini, located across the street from the city’s Cathedral, Tempio Malatestiano. Today, the palace houses the offices of the Prefecture. SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO MASSANI Palazzo Massani was built at the end of the 19th century for the nobleman Guglielmo Massani, a great benefactor of the poor. The construction of the palace was entrusted to Ghinelli di Santarcangelo, who designed the structure in Neoclassical style. During the Second World War, the palace was badly damaged by bombings. After the war, it was the subject of a hasty and incomplete reconstruction. Recently, the palace was restored by Paolo Beltrambini. ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO MASSANI The main facade of the palace overlooking Via IV Novembre has three floors. On the ground floor, there are six large windows, with a large portal in the center. The portal is surmounted by a balcony. Each of the two upper floors has nine rectangular windows. On the second floor, the windows have round pediments, while the windows on the third floor are surmounted by a cornice. Inside, we can find the remains of an ancient Roman domus (house), with a floor in pink marble slabs, and an 18th-century Read more [...]
Rimini Beach
The Rimini Beach is a beach in Rimini, located along the beautiful coast of the Adriatic Sea. DESCRIPTION OF THE RIMINI BEACH The Beach of Rimini, about 15 kilometers long and up to 200 meters wide, is one of the most famous and sought after beaches both in Italy and in Europe. The beach, wide, long and made up of fine-grained golden sand, is formed by combining 14 bathing establishments and some free beach areas. The bathing establishments, which are among the best equipped on the coast, are entirely managed. The Free Beach of Rimini (Spiaggia Libera) starts from the pier of the Port of Rimini (Molo di Levante), and continues for about 300 meters. At the base of the pier, there is a large Ferris Wheel (Ruota Panoramica), and near its top we can find a restaurant which recalls the short-lived micronation Isola delle Rose (Republic of Rose Island), the Rockisland. In addition to the classic beach equipment, such as deckchairs, umbrellas and sunbeds, you can rent from the bathing establishments equipment to practice sports both in the water and on the sand. On the beach, during the summer season, you will find lifeguards, beach tennis, soccer, basketball, Read more [...]
Basilica of Santo Stefano
The Basilica of Santo Stefano, also known as the Seven Churches (Sette Chiese), is a complex of religious buildings in Bologna, located in the homonymous square. SHORT HISTORY Around the year 100 AD, a pagan temple dedicated to Isis was built on this site. In 393, Ambrosio, the bishop of Milan, discovered the tombs of the first Christian martyrs of Bologna, Vitale and Agricola, and a small chapel was built near the temple of Isis to preserve their remains. The church is known today as the Church of the Saints Vitale and Agricola. In the 5th century, Petronius, the bishop of Bologna, converted the temple of Isis into a baptistery. Around the year 450, he was buried here. Now, the structure is known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Basilica del Sepolcro). In 727, Liutprand, king of the Lombards, invaded the city and built, to the right of the Holy Sepulcher, a prominent basilica, naming it after San Giovanni Battista (Saint John the Baptist). Later, the religious building became the Church of the Holy Crucifix (Chiesa del Crocifisso). The complex was devastated during the invasion of the Hungarians at the beginning of the 10th century, and was largely Read more [...]
Basilica of San Domenico
The Basilica of San Domenico is an important church in Bologna, located in the homonymous square. The church houses the remains of San Domenico (Saint Dominic), founder of the Dominican Order, who died in 1221 in the adjacent convent. SHORT HISTORY Saint Dominic arrived in Bologna in January 1218, and settled in the convent of the Church of Santa Maria della Purificazione, located outside the city walls. In 1219, the saint moved to the Convent of San Nicolò delle Vigne, where the current basilica stands. Saint Dominic died on August 6, 1221. In 1233, his remains were placed in a cypress chest, enclosed in a simple marble sarcophagus, and placed behind the altar of a side chapel of the right aisle. The following year, San Domenico was canonized by Pope Gregory IX. In 1267, his remains were placed in a monument known as the Ark of Saint Dominic (Arca di San Domenico). Starting with 1228, the old church of San Nicolò delle Vigne was enlarged, with the demolition of the apse and the extension of the nave. The construction works of the new basilica were completed in 1240, with the building of the sober Romanesque facade. The basilica was Read more [...]
Porta Galliera
Porta Galliera is an imposing medieval gate in Bologna, located in Piazza XX Settembre, in the northern part of the historical center of the city. Porta Galliera is the most decorated of all the remaining gates of Bologna. SHORT HISTORY Porta Galliera was built at the beginning of the 13th century, when the third wall of the city was raised. With a length of about 7.6 kilometers and a polygonal shape, the outer wall of Bologna had 12 gates equipped with a drawbridge, to cross the external moat. The gate was rebuilt in the 14th century, in conjunction with the works for the construction of the nearby Galliera Castle (Castello di Galliera), erected between 1330 and 1333 by Cardinal Bertrando del Poggetto for the Pope John XXII. The fortress was however destroyed in 1334 by the Bolognese population rebelling against the Papal State. In the 17th century, the gate was subject to several renovations, and between 1661 and 1663, due to the poor state of the original foundations, it was completely rebuilt based on a design by Bartolomeo Provaglia. Porta Galliera witnessed the final event of the insurrection of August 8, 1848. Through the gate, the last left open Read more [...]
Princess Art Hotel
Princess Art Hotel is a 4-Star hotel in Ferrara, located in Via Mascheraio, about 200 meters away from Piazza Ariostea and about 700 meters away from the Este Castle. Princess Art Hotel offers air-conditioned rooms, with antique furnishings, exposed wood-beamed ceilings and a private bathroom with a bath or shower. Some rooms have a fireplace or seating area. Guests can relax in the shared garden or on the outdoor patio, which is equipped with tables and chairs. HOW TO GET THERE Princess Art Hotel is located about 2 kilometers away from the Ferrara railway station. The closest bus stop, Palestro Mascheraio, is located about 120 meters away, on the bus Line 3.
Hotel Mercure Ferrara
Hotel Mercure Ferrara is a 4-Star hotel in Ferrara, located in Largo Castello, a few meters away from Castello Estense. The hotel offers rooms with a classic design, with wood floors and elegant furnishings. Suites includes a private wellness area. Each room features a full HD LED TV with international channels, and free WiFi. HOW TO GET THERE Hotel Mercure Ferrara is located about 1.5 kilometers away from the Ferrara railway station. The closest bus stop, Cavour Giardini, is located in Viale Cavour, about 180 meters away, on the bus Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 21.
Hotel Nazionale
Hotel Nazionale is a 3-Star hotel in Ferrara, located in Corso Porta Reno, about 90 meters away from Piazza Trento e Trieste, and about 300 meters away from the Este Castle. Hotel Nazionale offers modern rooms with LCD TV and free WiFi. Each room, with a contemporary design with wood floors and allergy-free furnishings, features a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with hairdryer and toiletries. A buffet breakfast is served each morning and gluten-free dishes are available on request. HOW TO GET THERE Hotel Nazionale is located about 1.6 kilometers away from the Ferrara railway station. The closest bus stop, Corso Porta Reno, is located near the hotel, on the bus Lines 4 and 11.
Piazza Trento e Trieste
Piazza Trento e Trieste, formerly known as Piazza delle Erbe for the market held there in the past, is the main square of Ferrara. SHORT HISTORY The medieval square appeared at the same time with the Cathedral of San Giorgio, in the 12th century, and since its inception it became the fulcrum of the political, economic and religious powers of the city. ARCHITECTURE The square, rectangular in shape, is crossed by a sidewalk 120 meters long and 12 meters wide, called listone. Around the square, you can still admire various ancient buildings, some of them in their original appearance, while others have undergone various renovations and transformations over time. In the northern part of the square, there is the Cathedral of San Giorgio, the Cathedral of Ferrara, built starting with 1235 and completed in 1177. Behind the Cathedral, there is the bell-tower, an unfinished work of Leon Battista Alberti. On the southern side of the Cathedral, runs Loggia dei Merciai, which since the beginning was dedicated to the merchants and to their various shops. The structure still retains its function today, hosting modern shops and commercial activities. The ancient seat of the Shoemakers’ Guild, Palazzo di San Crispino, Read more [...]
Palazzo di San Crispino
Palazzo di San Crispino, also known as the Oratory of the Shoemakers (Oratorio dei Calzolai), is a palace in Ferrara, located in Piazza Trento e Trieste, at the corner of Via Mazzini and Via Contrari. SHORT HISTORY According to tradition, the palace was built in 808 at the behest of Charlemagne and dedicated to the art of cobblers as a reward to a shoemaker for the services he offered. Historically, between 1461 and 1567, the palace was the seat of the Faculty of Literature, part of the University of Ferrara. In 1567, after it was partially destroyed by a fire, by the decision of the Shoemakers’ Guild, the palace was reduced to an oratory, while the public school was moved to the new headquarters in Palazzo Paradiso. The oratory was dedicated to the Saints Crispin and Crispinian, the patron saints of cobblers, tanners and leather workers. Starting with 1841, the palace was renovated by the architect Giovanni Tosi, who transformed the ancient loggia, giving it a Neoclassical aspect. The facade was decorated with marble medallions by famous artists from Ferrara. The frescoed facade of 1675, work of Francesco Ferrari, which represented Charlemagne on the throne flanked by knights on Read more [...]
Church of Santo Spirito
The Church of Santo Spirito is a church in Ferrara, located in the western part of the historical center of the city. SHORT HISTORY The works for the construction of the Church of the Holy Spirit began in 1519. On the death of Duke Alfonso I d’Este, in 1534, the works were interrupted, but the structure was largely completed. In 1570, the church was heavily damaged by the disastrous earthquake that struck the city. Immediately after the earthquake, it was decided to renovate the church and the adjacent convent. The works were completed only in 1630, and the church was consecrated in 1656 by Cardinal Carlo Pio. The convent and the church experienced their period of greatest prestige during the end of the 17th century and throughout the 18th century. Between 1796 and 1799, the French troops of Napoleon Bonaparte settled in the convent. In 1810, all the friars were expelled and the convent was placed at the disposal of the army. On that occasion, many documents were lost. The convent was reopened in 1816. In 1830, the ceiling of the church collapsed, destroying all the decorations and paintings of the vaults. With the royal decree of June 7, Read more [...]
Church of San Francesco
The Church of San Francesco is a church dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, located in the homonymous square, in the western part of the historical center of Ferrara. SHORT HISTORY The Church of San Francesco was built in 1494 on a pre-existing building belonging to the Franciscans, which was used until the beginning of the 15th century as a mausoleum for the Este family. The church is considered one of the best creations of the architect Biagio Rossetti. Following the 2012 earthquake, the interior, with the exception of a transept and an adjacent chapel, was for a long time unusable and closed to the public. Currently, the central nave and the right aisle can be visited, while the left aisle is only partially accesible. ART AND ARCHITECTURE The facade has typically Renaissance lines, with the volutes, inspired by Leon Battista Alberti, and the marble pilasters that stand out on the terracotta walls. The interior of the church, with three naves, has a Latin cross plan and eight chapels on each side. In the first chapel on the left, there is a remarkable fresco of the Arrest of Jesus by Benvenuto Tisi, better known as Garofalo. In the Read more [...]
Palazzo della Borsa
Palazzo della Borsa is a large palace in Ferrara, located in Largo Castello, in the historical center of the city, facing the Este Castle. SHORT HISTORY Starting with the 15th century, the site of the current palace was occupied by the Pavilion Gardens (Giardini del Padiglione) built by the Duke Ercole I d’Este, in place of previous vegetable gardens and small peasant houses. The palace was built between 1756 and 1761 at the behest of the cardinal legate Giovanni Francesco Banchieri, who entrusted its design to the architect Angelo Santini. In 1761, it became the seat of Monte di Pietà (Mount of Piety). In 1796, with the arrival of the troops of Napoleon Bonaparte, the institution was suppressed and all the precious goods preserved inside, such as jewels, precious stones, gold and silver, were requisitioned. In 1807, when the French troops left, its management was entrusted again to Monte di Pietà. In 1930, the institute was absorbed by Cassa di Risparmio di Ferrara, already owner of the palace and partially operating on the ground floor of the building. Later, the structure became the seat of the Stock Exchange. During the Second World War, the palace was damaged and the Read more [...]
Piazza del Municipio
Piazza del Municipio is one of the main squares of Ferrara, delimited by the wings of the Municipal Palace (Palazzo Municipale), located in the historical center of the city. SHORT HISTORY The current square housed once the Ducal Courtyard of the Municipal Palace, which was the first residence of the Este family. Subsequently, after the ducal family moved to the Este Castle, the palace was remodeled several times, until its current form. The square is famous for the imposing white marble staircase, built in 1481 to a design by Pietro Benvenuto degli Ordini, characterized by a vaulted roof with a central dome and arches in Renaissance style, with a marble balustrade decorated by medieval Gothic elements. Piazza del Municipio is often chosen as the venue for events such as the flag-wavers’ trials during the days preceding the Palio of Ferrara, and the farmer’s market with typical fresh products from the province of Ferrara. ARCHITECTURE Piazza del Municipio can be accessed from Piazza Trento e Trieste through the main entrance of the Municipal Palace, called Volto del Cavallo (Vault of the Horse), consisting of a portico adorned on one side by the bronze statue of Borso d’Este, and on Read more [...]
Palazzo Municipale
Palazzo Municipale (Municipal Palace) is a palace in Ferrara, located in Piazza del Municipio, adjacent to Piazza Trento e Trieste, in the historical center of the city. The palace was the residence of the Este family until the 16th century, when the court moved to the nearby Castello Estense. Today, Palazzo Municipale is the seat of the Municipality of Ferrara. SHORT HISTORY The original nucleus of the palace was begun in 1245 along Via Cortevecchia, and was completed between 1472 and 1481. On June 2, 1451, the equestrian statue of Marquis Niccolò III d’Este was placed on the right side of the entrance to the palace, on a support inspired by the Roman triumphal arches. The construction of the monument was entrusted to the Florentine sculptors Antonio di Cristoforo, Nicolò Baroncelli, and Meo di Checco. The statue of Borso d’Este, also finished in 1453 by Baroncelli, was placed on the left side of the entrance. The palace changed significantly over the centuries. Between 1924 and 1928, the facade overlooking Piazza Trento e Trieste was rebuilt by Carlo Savonuzzi in a Neo-Gothic style, while the remaining part along the current Corso Martiri della Libertà had already been remodeled in 1738. Read more [...]
Piazza Ariostea
Piazza Ariostea, formerly known as Piazza Nuova and, for a brief period, Piazza Napoleone, is one of the main squares of Ferrara, located in the northern part of the historical center of the city. On the last Sunday of May, the square hosts the Palio of Ferrara, established in 1279, resumed in the 1930s, and regularly held after the end of the Second World War. Palio di Ferrara is considered among the oldest in the world. SHORT HISTORY Until 1496, the area was occupied by a farm owned by a certain Bartolomeo Zermio. Then, the land was purchased by Ercole I d’Este, the second duke of Ferrara, and transformed into a square, called Piazza Nuova. In the early 16th century, Duke Ercole I commissioned Ercole Grandi to design two columns for his own equestrian monument. On the way to Ferrara, one of the columns was lost in the Po River. The other one, which reached the town, was not immediately raised. The column was placed in the square only in 1675 to house the statue of Pope Alexander VII. In 1796, the French replaced the papal statue with a plaster statue depicting Liberty, which was demolished in 1799. In Read more [...]
Via delle Volte
Via delle Volte (Street of the Vaults) is an ancient street in Ferrara, located between Corso Porta Reno, to the north, and Via Giuoco del Pallone, to the south, in the medieval center of the city. SHORT HISTORY Via delle Volte is characterized by arches built during the 13th and the 14th centuries. Its almost rectilinear layout, though, dates back to the oldest urban development of the city, before the deviation of the Po River in 1152. During the 13th century, the street was known as Via dei Bastardini (Street of Bastards), because it housed the Pious Institute of illegitimate or abandoned children (Pio Istituto dei figli illegittimi o abbandonati), which later became the Umberto I Institute. Later, during the 15th century, the street was called Via del Gambero, and was famous for an old filthy tavern, called Bordello del Gambero (Brothel of the Shrimp), assiduously frequented by prostitutes. In the 19th century, it was also known as Via delle Prostitute (Street of Prostitutes), due to the large number of brothels in the area, and some popular sayings still refer to this name. During the 20th century, the street was also called Via Bersaglieri del Po, in honor of Read more [...]
Palazzo dei Banchi
Palazzo dei Banchi (Palace of the Banks) is a 15th-century palace in Bologna, located in Piazza Maggiore, next to the Basilica of San Petronio and Palazzo del Podesta. The palace takes its name from some shops that practiced currency exchange during the 15th and 16th centuries. SHORT HISTORY Palazzo dei Banchi was the last building erected in Piazza Maggiore, starting with 1412. The palace consists of several buildings joined behind the same facade. The facade of the palace and the portico, known as Pavaglione, were built after a project by the architect Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, and were completed between 1565 and 1568. Behind the palace, there is the Mercato di Mezzo, a series of alleys where, since the Middle Ages, a market of typical products and crafts was established. Also located behind Palazzo dei Banchi is the city’s archaeological museum (Museo Civico Archeologico) and the Church of Santa Maria della Vita. ARCHITECTURE Palazzo dei Banchi has a Renaissance-style facade, with a long portico on the ground floor (Pavaglione). The asymmetric facade of the palace has 15 rounded arches, two of which are larger and lead to the alleys mentioned above, while the others are lower. All the Read more [...]
Palazzo dei Notai
Palazzo dei Notai (Palace of the Notaries) is a medieval palace in Bologna, located in Piazza Maggiore, between the Basilica of San Petronio and Palazzo d’Accursio. SHORT HISTORY The palace was built starting with 1381 as the seat of the Notaries Guild. Its construction had two stages: the part facing the Basilica of San Petronio dates back to 1381, but the one facing Palazzo d’Accursio was rebuilt by Bartolomeo Fioravanti in 1437. In 1422, a loggia was added to the building, and the current door was opened in Via dei Pignattari, next to the Basilica of San Petronio. In 1792, when the vault of the great hall was transformed and raised according to a design by Giuseppe Tubertini, many battlements were damaged, and the palace partially lost its characteristic medieval appearance. In 1908, Palazzo dei Notai was completely restored by Alfonso Rubbiani, who mainly intervened on the facade and demolished the great hall of Tubertini. ART AND ARCHITECTURE Palazzo dei Notai is a rectangular structure made of bricks, crenellated on top, with Gothic mullioned windows. Inside the palace, in the Salone dei Notai (Hall of Notaries), you can admire the 15th-century frescoes representing the Incredulity of Saint Thomas, Read more [...]