Villas, historic residences and theatres

Bologna is a true marvel not only from the outside, but also from the inside, with its rich heritage of palaces, historic residences, villas and theatres, which reveal a hidden world of evocative courts, stairways and frescoed halls. Follow this itinerary and do not miss any of these artistic gems!

A stroll in Bologna offers the chance to discover the city’s most remarkable buildings, spread across every square and street of the old town. Palazzo D’Accursio, overlooking Piazza Maggiore, is the town hall, while Palazzo Re Enzo and Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio dominate Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Galvani respectively.

The latter hosted the University headquarters until 1803, and since 1838 has been operating as Civic Library. Palazzo Ghisilardi Fava, located in Via Indipendenza, is the seat of the unmissable Civic Museum of the Middle Ages, whilst the near Via Marsala hosts Palazzo Grassi, one of the few remaining proofs of the city’s medieval structure. The Museum of Palazzo Poggi, in Via Zamboni, is accessible to the public, whereas the sumptuous Palazzo Davia Bargellini, in Strada Maggiore, displays a wonderful art collection. Finally, at the beginning of Via Castiglione, two historic buildings stand opposite to each other: Pepoli Campogrande and Pepoli Vecchio, whose beautiful halls are currently used as the city’s history museum.

If you wish to visit Bologna’s villas you will need to move outside the city centre. Along Via Saragozza, you will be amazed by two beautiful locations: Villa delle Rose, an evocative residence converted by the Modern Art Museum to a contemporary art exhibition area, and Villa Spada, surrounded by an idyllic park, current seat of the Textile and Tapestry Museum “Vittorio Zironi”. Also not to be missed is the seventeenth-century Villa Aldrovandi Mazzacorati and the Historic Museum of the Toy Soldier “Mario Massacesi” housed inside.