Visiting Bologna in Photos

Since I didn’t have time to write a proper travel journal, I thought I’d share a few photos of Bologna—a really lovely city I discovered in 2017 while stopping on my way to Tuscany. Around Piazza Maggiore, which was packed with a stage and chairs for a show, stands the Basilica of San Petronio, massive and Gothic in style, with an unfinished façade (a common sight in Italy).





Another building near the square:

But Bologna’s real charm lies in its porticoes, which were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2021: 62 km of arcades running along buildings, letting you walk sheltered from the sun or rain. Back in 1288, the city required houses to include private arcades for public use. In the city center, you can stroll under 32 km of porticoes in all sorts of styles—some plain, some ornate—with a strong presence of red tones.

Join me under Bologna’s porticoes!

Some buildings are particularly decorative







You can also find magnificent wrought-iron doors









Colorful alleyways





To be continued, with more photos, if there are any fans out there.... Bologna is also renowned as the capital of Italian gastronomy.

Hi there! Thanks for these gorgeous photos! I’m planning a trip to the Cinque Terre area and was wondering how many days to spend in Bologna—1 or 2?

I’d recommend at least 2 days to have time to visit the university, a few churches, and wander through the streets under the porticoes... but it depends how many miles you walk each day, and whether you stop as often as I do to take photos...

You should visit the university and its anatomy hall, a few churches, and the most beautiful porticoes. I went back to Bologna in early June—there are definitely more tourists now that the porticoes have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The restoration of the Neptune Fountain is finished.

I saw the life-sized terracotta sculptures of *The Lamentation of Christ*—they’re impressive, right in the city center near the market, in a small church entrance that’s easy to miss.

I wanted to add photos, but it’s not working today—so frustrating with all these VoyageForum crashes. I’ll come back another day.

This morning VF accepted my photos. The Neptune Fountain



The life-sized terracotta figures of the Lamentation of Christ at the Church of Santa Maria della Vita, in the Quadrilatero











And let's not forget that Bologna is Italy's gastronomic capital.



Happy travels

If there’s ever a photo contest for arcades or porticoes, you’ve got a great shot at winning! 🙂

Hi Joël, The arcades—more commonly called "porticoes" in Bologna—have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021. This type of architecture was already present in the city when it was made mandatory by a municipal decree in 1288. The porticoes allowed for population density and made it easier for pedestrians to get around, sheltered from the sun and bad weather.

They’re also incredibly varied. Some building owners used them to flaunt their wealth—each trying to outdo the neighbor with something more beautiful or modern. There are porticoes dating back to the Middle Ages, and new ones are still being built under recent buildings. Some reflect the poverty of the neighborhood, while others house international fashion brands...

Our urban planners could really take inspiration from these porticoes. I experienced firsthand how comfortable they are during a heatwave and thunderstorms last June.

For those who love architecture and design, these porticoes are a joy to photograph.

Near my place in Annecy, there are some too, but the city has let souvenir shops and bistros take them over completely—it’s a disaster, so ugly!

In Bologna, some businesses are allowed to encroach (like grocers or bistros, but never clothing or "souvenir" shops), but they always leave plenty of space for pedestrians, strollers, and bikes that must be walked.

In Bern and other Swiss cities, the arcades are well protected and showcased.

A few more photos: The floors are often stunning but tricky to photograph because of foot traffic. They always use the same range of materials and colors.





The porticoes also have some graffiti.

With signs (VF photo contest of the month ;))



Other signs on Bologna’s town hall, called *La Rossa* ("The Red"), a nod to its political leanings as well as the color of its walls.

Hey Joel, Those photos are amazing. They’re making me want to go! Do you think Bologna and the surrounding area are a good idea at Christmas? Thanks! See you soon

Hi Noëlle, Your photos are gorgeous. They’re so tempting! Do you think Bologna (and the surrounding area) at Christmas (!!!) is a good idea? Thanks. See you soon!

Really lovely photos, with lots of doors for the October contest 😉 But still no spaghetti bolognese 🤪

Hi,

And let's not forget that Bologna is Italy's culinary capital.

One of the... ;) In a country that's a foodie paradise.

Thanks for sharing these gorgeous photos of a city I love so much.

Catherine

On the other hand, still no spaghetti bolognese

Mamma mia! Pasta al ragù, per favore! 😛

Cat

For ages, I couldn't reply... VoyageForum kept redirecting me to a previously opened page. That said, I have no idea if Bologna is interesting during the Christmas holidays. Maybe we should ask Unamilanese, who chimed in on this discussion and lives in Italy.

Thanks Noëlle for this photo walk. Bologna is a city that really deserves two days if you enjoy wandering and poking around the corners... And it’s also the epicenter of Italian gastronomy!