Piazza Maggiore

Piazza Maggiore is not simply the center of the city: it is the heart, the place where every Bolognese - born or adopted - sooner or later passes. A square that never ceases to live, where history meets everyday life with naturalness.

Founded in the thirteenth century, it’s among the oldest in Italy. Today it continues to be the main reference point for events, meetings and moments of collective life.

Around the square are some of the emblematic buildings of the city:

- The Basilica of San Petronio, with its majestic unfinished facade, houses the world’s longest sundial and dominates the entire southern side.

- Palazzo d'Accursio, once the seat of the municipality, today hosts the Municipal Art Collections and the Morandi Museum, in a perfect dialogue between institutional past and contemporary culture.

- Palazzo del Podestà and Palazzo Re Enzo, separated from the famous Voltone, tell the story of the medieval city and preserve one of the most well-known mysteries of Bologna.

- Palazzo dei Banchi, with its elegant Renaissance facade, introduces naturally to the complex of the Archiginnasio and the historic area of the Pavaglione.

At the center of the square there is the Crescentone, a raised platform built in 1934. Today it’s an informal meeting point where students, residents and visitors meet at any time of the day.

During summer, the square turns into a suggestive open-air cinema with the exhibition Sotto le Stelle del Cinema, while throughout the year it hosts concerts, events, cultural meetings and scenes from everyday life.

For those looking for an unforgettable stay, the Art Hotel Commercianti offers the possibility to stay in the historic center of this city a few steps from the main monuments, ideal for those seeking an accommodation in the center of Bologna with charm and character. This hotel near Piazza Maggiore in Bologna offers to the guests a privileged experience next to one of the most representative places in the city.