Bologna looks like a sea of red roofs from a pigeon's perch, but the game happens down on the actual pavement. This full round of 18 holes follows the real streets of the city for 11.5 km, using 16 portals to bridge the gaps. The course is built from genuine attractions, ending with a final roll toward the Cattedrale di San Pietro. Skip knows every nook of these alleys and is the local guide.
Stadio Renato Dall'Ara is a stadium in Bologna used for rugby union and association football. Its inception was in 1925, and it was later inaugurated in 1927 as Stadio Littoriale. The venue is named after Renato Dall'Ara, who lived from 1892 to 1964. You can see the influence of the designer, Giulio Ulisse Arata, in the architecture. During the city's liberation in 1943, an equestrian statue of Benito Mussolini that sat in the large arch was destroyed. Today, the stadium is considered Italian national heritage. I've always found the scale of those arches quite impressive.
You will first notice the clean lines of Villa Spada, a villa built in the Neoclassical architecture style. Located on Via di Casaglia #3, outside of Porta Saragozza, this spot functions as both a villa and an urban park for the city. It is recognized as an Italian national heritage site and was designed by architect Giovan Battista Martinetti. If you head inside, you can visit the Museum of Textiles and Upholstery Vittorio Zironi, which has been housed here since the 1990s. I find the greenery here a nice break from the denser streets of the center.
Let me show you Porta Saragozza, a historic building in Bologna. This site is a city gate and one of the historic gates found in the medieval walls of Bologna, Italy. When you visit, you can pick out the architectural details that mark its role as a former entry point into the city. I often see people pausing here to admire how the structure integrates with the surrounding urban layout. It is a great spot to stop and appreciate the scale of the old fortifications.
The Basilica di San Francesco is located in the city of Bologna. This historic church building is a minor basilica and is an example of the Gothic architecture style. Its inception was in 1236, and the site is officially recognized as an Italian national heritage. The property has been held by the Conventual Franciscan friars since the 13th century. Visitors can observe the specific architectural details of the Gothic style that define this historic structure, which remains a significant part of the city's religious and cultural landscape.
Let me show you the Fontana del Nettuno. This fountain in Bologna, Italy, is an example of Mannerist taste of the Italian courtly elite in the mid-sixteenth century. It is recognized as Italian national heritage and remains one of the most famous sights in the area. You will find it located in Piazza del Nettuno, which is situated right next to Piazza Maggiore. I have noticed that the open space around the fountain makes it a great spot to pause and look around at the city life. It is a wonderful piece of history to see while you are exploring the heart of the city.
In Bologna, you will find the Basilica di San Domenico. This minor basilica and convent is a historic building and an Italian national heritage site. The inception of the Basilica di San Domenico was in 1228. As you look at the structure, you can pick out a blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture. The interior is a place of significance as the remains of Saint Dominic are buried inside the Arca di San Domenico.
Let me show you Asinelli. This structure is both an inclined tower and a Bologna tower, standing at a height of 97.2 meters. It is recognized as an Italian national heritage, making it a vital piece of the local skyline. You can pick out the tilt of the masonry as you approach the base of the building. I usually find that the view from the top is the best way to see the surrounding rooftops, though the climb up is quite a workout for any visitor.
Located in the University district of Bologna, Italy, the Pinacoteca nazionale di Bologna is an Italian national museum. It sits inside the former Saint Ignatius Jesuit novitiate, which is the same building that houses the Academy of Fine Arts. Founded in 1762, the museum offers a collection of Emilian paintings from the 13th to the 18th century. I always find the mix of art and academia in this one spot quite interesting, as the surroundings feel just as storied as the canvases on the walls.
Let me show you Porta San Vitale. This historic building is a city gate that was started in 1286. It served as an eastern portal of the former outer medieval walls of the city of Bologna, Italy. Today, it is an Italian national heritage site located on a piazza of the same name. If you are looking for it on a map, you can pick it out immediately west of the intersection of Via San Vitale with the Viale di Ciconvallazione. I've noticed some people call it Porta per Ravenna.
You will first notice the Palazzo Aldini Sanguinetti, which houses the Museo internazionale e biblioteca della musica. Located in the historic center of Bologna, Italy, this site is both a music museum and a music library. It is recognized as Italian national heritage and was established in 2004. I have found that the atmosphere here is quite different from the bustle of the surrounding streets, which might be why it attracts 13,413 annual visitors. Whether you are interested in the archives or the exhibits, it is a significant stop for anyone wanting to see how the city preserves its musical history.
Let me show you Porta San Donato. This historic building is an instance of a city gate and was once part of the former outer medieval walls of Bologna, Italy. You can pick out its location as a former entrance into the university area of the city. It is officially designated as Italian national heritage, ensuring its preservation for all who visit. I have always found it to be a sturdy spot to keep an eye on the students and crowds heading toward the campus from my favorite perch above.
Just before the Ponte Stalingrado, you will find Porta Mascarella. This historic building is a city gate that once served as a portal of the former outer medieval walls of Bologna. Today, it is recognized as Italian national heritage. It is a great spot to pause and think about how the city boundaries have shifted over time. I usually see a few people admiring the stonework while they head toward the bridge, which makes it a nice place to slow down and appreciate the old architecture before continuing your walk through the city.
Located where the former outer medieval walls once encircled Bologna, you will find Porta Galliera. It is a city gate and a historic building that remains a key part of the urban layout. This structure is the most ornamented of all the remaining gates in the city, making it a standout piece of architecture for any visitor. Because of its significance and preservation, it is officially listed as Italian national heritage. I've noticed that the fancy stonework here always catches the light just right during the afternoon.
This isn't a gallery for ancient ruins or renaissance frescoes. Instead, MAMbo is a museum of modern art located in Bologna, Italy. Founded in 2007, the museum is considered Italian national heritage. You can find the Museo Morandi here, which houses a collection of more than 250 works by Giorgio Morandi. Morandi lived from 1890 to 1964. I've found that the modern lines of the building make for a very clean bank shot if you're aiming for the entrance. It is a great place to see how the city embraces the contemporary side of creativity.
You can find Porta Lame at the end of Via Lame, where it meets Via Zanardi. This city gate is an Italian national heritage and a historic building that was started in 1677. It functioned as a gate of the former outer medieval walls of Bologna, and Agostino Barelli was the architect of the structure. I've found that the area around these old walls always has a distinct feel compared to the city center, making it a great spot to stop and look at the masonry. It is a wonderful example of how the city's boundaries have shifted over the centuries.
Located on Via Nazario Sauro 20 in central Bologna, Italy, San Giorgio in Poggiale is a historic building. Its inception was in 1589 and it is designed in the Mannerism style. While it is a secularized church, the building remains an active part of the community as it is used as both a museum building and a library building. Because of its architectural and cultural significance, the site is designated as Italian national heritage.
You might expect a modern gallery, but the Museo della Storia di Bologna is actually a Palazzo and a historic building. This site is recognized as Italian national heritage and had its inception in 1344. I can show you the Palazzo Pepoli Vecchio, which is a medieval palace and the civic Museum of the History of Bologna. You can find it located on Via Castiglione number 8 in central Bologna. It is a great spot to stop and see how the city has changed over the centuries.
The Baroque architecture of San Paolo Maggiore defines this Roman Catholic basilica church. Located on Via Carbonari #18 in Bologna, within the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, the site is a minor basilica, a church building, and a historic building. The inception of San Paolo Maggiore was in 1606. Because of its importance to the city and the region, it is designated as an Italian national heritage. You can see the influence of the Baroque style throughout the structure as you visit this historic part of Bologna.
Located in the heart of the city, Cattedrale di San Pietro is a Catholic cathedral and a historic church building. It is recognized as an Italian national heritage site. While some parts of the cathedral date back to the late 16th century, most of the present structure dates to the 17th century. You can pick out the Baroque style throughout the architecture of this site, which is the seat of the Archbishop of Bologna. It is also formally known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Peter.