Bologna

Photo 1: The historic Piazza del Nettuno dominated by the 16th-century Neptune Fountain, designed by sculptor Giambologna. The fountain symbolised the power of papal Bologna, and Neptune's trident reportedly inspired the Maserati car logo. (2025/03)

Photo 2: Close-up of the Neptune Fountain, with the dominant statue of the god of the sea surrounded by nymphs and dolphins. (2025/03)

Photo 3: The medieval Palazzo del Podesta on Piazza Maggiore, originally the seat of the city council. Under the arcades in front of the palace, a whispering gallery effect carries sound over a great distance. (2025/03)

Photo 4: View of Piazza Maggiore with the Basilica of San Petronio, patron saint of Bologna. The basilica is one of the largest brick buildings in the world and was never fully completed. (2025/03)

Photo 5: Close-up of the front facade of the Basilica of San Petronio. The lower part is clad in marble, while the upper part remains unfinished. The basilica was originally meant to rival St Peter's Basilica in Rome, but this was eventually halted for political reasons. (2025/03)

Photo 6: The historic Palazzo d'Accursio with a statue of Pope Gregory XIII and a clock tower. It has served as the seat of the city government since the 14th century and now houses the city museum. (2025/03)

Photo 7: A wide panoramic view of Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, the historic centre of public life for over 800 years. (2025/03)

Photo 8: View of Piazza Galvani with the statue of Luigi Galvani in front of the rear of the Basilica of San Petronio. Luigi Galvani was a prominent scientist and discoverer of bioelectricity. (2025/03)

Photo 9: The courtyard in front of the Santo Stefano basilica complex, known as the "Seven Churches", built as a symbolic replica of the holy sites of Jerusalem. (2025/03)

Photo 10: View of the leaning Torre degli Asinelli, 97.2 metres tall, dating from the 12th century. It is the tallest medieval leaning tower in Italy and its top is accessible via 498 steps. (2025/03)

Photo 11: View of the iconic Leaning Towers of Bologna – Torre degli Asinelli and Torre Garisenda. These medieval towers symbolised the prestige of wealthy families and also served as defensive structures. Torre Garisenda is known for its pronounced lean, even greater than that of the tower in Pisa. (2025/03)