The ancient charm of Bologna is breathed by visiting its major historical buildings. UNESCO has recognized the center as one of the largest and best-preserved artistic heritage sites, ranging from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Sights to see:
The Garisenda and Asinelli towers (with the less-known Azzoguidi and Prendiparte) stand out against the sky, profiling the city skyline and making it recognizable from any panoramic perspective.
Another Bolognese emblem is the Basilica of San Petronio, located in Piazza Maggiore. The monumental church, left unfinished, dates back to 1390. On the floor of its left aisle is the largest sundial in the world, designed by the mathematician Giovanni Domenica Cassini.
There are many spiritual places in Bologna. The magnificent complex of Santo Stefano is called “the seven churches” because of the succession of chapels all connected by courtyards and cloisters. To enter the sanctuary of San Luca on the Colle della Guardia, you first pass through a lovely porticoed climb.
Worthy of note is also the Palazzo dell’ Archiginnasio, the seat of the Biblioteca Comunale and erected in the middle of the sixteenth century. Inside is the anatomic theater, a room dedicated to studying anatomy, built according to the model of a Roman amphitheater. It is a spectacular environment that has marked the history of the renowned medical faculty of Bolognese University.