Piazza Maggiore

Piazza Maggiore, located in the heart of Bologna, is the nerve center of city life, as well as one of the most fascinating public spaces in Italy. Its history dates back to the 13th century, when the Municipality of Bologna began acquiring houses and land to create a large area for markets and public activities. This ambitious project was motivated by the need for a central place that could host the city’s economic and social life, while at the same time freeing the churches from the burden of having to serve as places of exchange and commerce. The current name, Piazza Maggiore, was adopted only in the 16th century, while previously the square was known by other names, including Piazza del Comune. During the Austrian occupation, the square was renamed Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, in honor of the first king of Italy, but in 1945, with the end of World War II, it resumed its historical name. The square is surrounded by some of the most important and representative buildings in the city. To the west is the Palazzo d’Accursio, home to the town hall and the Morandi Museum, named after the famous Bolognese painter Giorgio Morandi. This palace, with its numerous frescoed rooms and the majestic Clock Tower, is a perfect example of medieval and Renaissance civic architecture. To the south of the square stands the monumental Basilica of San Petronio, one of the largest Gothic churches in the world, begun in 1390 and never completed according to the original project. The basilica, dedicated to the city’s patron saint, San Petronio, houses numerous artistic treasures, including frescoes by Giovanni da Modena and a sundial created by the astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini in 1655. Next to the basilica is the Palazzo dei Notai, built in the 14th century as the headquarters of the notary corporation. This building, with its brick facade and arched windows, is another significant example of Bolognese Gothic architecture. On the eastern side of the square is the Palazzo dei Banchi, which closes off the side towards the Mercato di Mezzo. Built in the 16th century by Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, the palace has a uniform facade that hides the variety of buildings behind it, unifying the appearance of the square. To the north, finally, stands the Palazzo del Podestà, one of the oldest buildings in the square, dating back to the 13th century. This palace, home to the city’s magistracies, is topped by the Arengo Tower, from which a bell used to be rung to summon citizens to public meetings. Piazza Maggiore is also famous for its Crescentone, a large raised platform built in 1934 that recalls the shape of the typical Emilian bread, the crescenta. This architectural element has become a landmark for the people of Bologna and an informal meeting place. Over the centuries, Piazza Maggiore has hosted numerous historical and cultural events. During the Middle Ages, it was the bustling heart of the city market, where merchants and artisans displayed their goods. Today, the square continues to be a lively center of activity, with events such as the “Sotto le stelle del cinema” film festival, organized by the Cineteca di Bologna, which transforms the square into an open-air cinema every summer.