What to see at Piazza Maggiore
Six stops that tell the story of Bologna's civic and religious heart, from San Petronio's unfinished façade to its endless porticoes.
Basilica of San Petronio
At 132 metres long, it's one of the largest Gothic churches in the world. Its façade tells an interrupted story: work stopped in the 16th century, leaving the upper section in exposed brick while the lower section carries the marble the original design called for.
Neptune Fountain
A bronze masterpiece by Giambologna (1566), commissioned by the papal legate cardinal to celebrate the Church's power. The sirens at the base were considered too daring for the time.
Palazzo d'Accursio
The historic seat of the city government, with its clock tower and the Municipal Art Collections on the piano nobile. The internal staircase, attributed to Bramante, has wide, shallow steps designed to be climbed on horseback or by sedan chair.
Palazzo Re Enzo
Named after the son of Frederick II, held prisoner here for over twenty years. The great archway on the ground floor, known as "il Voltone", links Piazza Maggiore to Piazza del Nettuno.
The Two Towers
The Asinelli (97.2 metres) and the Garisenda (48 metres, leaning nearly 4 degrees) are what remains of the more than one hundred noble towers that once defined Bologna's medieval skyline.
The Porticoes
About 62 km of covered arcades across the city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021. The Portico di San Luca, the longest in the world, stretches almost 4 km up to the sanctuary on the Guardia hill.
Want to climb the Asinelli Tower?
Entry is capped for safety reasons — booking ahead is worthwhile, especially on weekends.
See tickets and experiences
Space reserved for local operators.