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There are lots of places to go and activities and events to take part in or see in Bologna. There are events which take part throughout the year, including Carnival (parades, costumes, feasting, and more), the Bologna Festival (classical music festival), the Bologna Sogna Open Festival (film, theatre, and music), and the Made in Bo (outdoor pop festival).
A must-visit is the Basilica di San Petronio. A beautiful church, it was built, starting in 1392, but not fully completed because of restrictions placed on construction by the Vatican. The original plan would have put the Basilica di San Petronio as the largest church in the world, an idea rejected by the Papal authority in Rome. The amazing architecture is really something to experience in person, especially the doorway, with incredible carvings of Biblical scenes.
Bolognas Basilica di Santo Stefano is another destination recommended to visit. There is a beautiful piazza placed before the Basilica, and the Basilica itself holds interesting catacombs, crypts, and four churches. The main basilica holds an amazing altar with an angel carvel by the one and only Michelangelo.
The Fontana del Nettuno is beautiful place to visit. The fountain itself is enormous. It was built in 1566, and has some beautiful bronze statuary. The sculptor became so famous after completion of the project that the people of Bologna named him Giambologna.
Most associate Italy with the leaning Tower of Pisa. But Bologna has two such towers itself! The Torres degli Asinelli (Tower of the Asinelli), and the Torres degli Garisenda (Tower of the Garisenda) are both located in Bologna, and both in the same piazza, the Piazza di Porta. One of the towers, the Torres degli Asinelli, is taller. Yet, with less of a lean, it is possible to climb up the 498 steps to observe the surrounding Bologna area. Its quiet a beautiful view and visiting the Piazza di Porta to see these magnificent structures, is highly recommend.
Bologna also has a gorgeous town hall, the Palazzo Comunale; built with a staircase so wide, it accommodated horse drawn carriages up to the first floor. Inside the Palazzo you’ll find a beautiful collection of medieval and Renaissance paintings and sculptures. Also travel to the Pinacoteca Nazionale (National Picture Gallery) to see a grand display of work by Bolognese artists.
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