via Rizzoli 1
Built in the early years of the XXth century by G.Pontoni and E.Lambertini as a sign of the modern Bologna (as a matter of fact, it was called “modernissimo” that is to say very modern), the palace is on the corner of the  Pavaglione  portico (XVIth century). At present, the ground floor hosts  a refined jewelry  entered in the register of historical shops. The outdoor furniture of the Art Nouveau shop windows was designed by Paolo Sironi.

Curiosity: During the first ten days of last century, in the corner between the Pavaglione  portico  and via Rizzoli, a group of elegant layabouts used to spend their time commenting on women. For this reason, the place was called “l’angolo degli imbecilli” that means the “corner of the stupid people”.

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The palace was planned by L.Repossi in the beginning of XXth century. Under the portico, there is a narrow space which, until recently, housed a store embellished by the design of Enrico De Angeli (brass, plexiglass, chroming) according to the  aesthetic researches of the fifties.

Curiosity: at n.9 of via Rizzoli, there is the Roxi Bar, made famous by the song “Vita spericolata” (reckless life) of the popular singer Vasco Rossi. When he was not yet famous, the singer often attended this bar where he drank whiskey and sang. He sat on the ground outside the window and played guitar.

Piazza di Porta Ravegnana
Strategically placed at the  city entry point of the ancient Via Aemilia, the two towers are the symbol image of the "towered" Bologna , so named for the hundreds of towers and house-towers built in the Middle Ages, of which currently remain little more than twenty. Made in masonry work, they had very important military functions (signalling and defence), besides representing with their imposing heights the social prestige of noble families.  
The Asinell tower (XIth century) is the tallest in the city (98 m.). From the top of the tower, which can be reached climbing 498 stairs, a marvelous view of the city can be enjoyed. Next to the Asinelli tower, there is the Garisenda tower (XIth century), which is 48 meters high and is leaning due to a land subsidence happened in the XIIth century. At its base, a tablet reports some verses of the canto XXXI of Dante Alighieri’s Inferno in which the tower is compared to the mythical giant Antaeus.
In front of the towers, there is a statue of Saint Petronio, the patron saint of the city, commissioned to the sculptor Gabriele Brunelli (XVIIth century) by the Company of  the Drapers, who had their headquarters here.

Curiosity: among the traditions linked to the Asinelli tower, the following ones should be remembered: one concerns the true measure of the Bolognese tagliatella, which, according to tradition, must be 6,5-7 mm wide and this corresponds to the 12.270th part of the height of the tower;  the second recalls that university students should not climb the tower before their graduation because they risk not not to finish their studies.

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The palace was planned by E.Collamarini in the first years of the XXth century. Contemporaneously, the Acquaderni Arcade was opened  under the palace, in the same place of the ancient church of Saint Giobbe. The elegant arcade was decorated by L.Lambertini who also placed four old polychromatic prints representing Piazza Maggiore, the Procession of the Madonna di San Luca, Piazza San Domenico and Piazza Malpighi.

Curiosity:  inside the arcade, at n.2, a tablet recalls that Charles V, during his stay in Bologna for his crowning as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, attended a horse race here.

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The Palace, which has a simple, severe style, was planned by  A. M. Laghi (XVIIIth century). In the façade, the coat of arms of Ferdinand VI King of Spain (1751) is placed.

Curiosity: at the ground floor of the palace, there was the Osteria dei Tre Re (inn of the three kings) which witnesses the traditional and  great presence of inns and taverns in the city, especially attended by students and traders.