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Beautiful Porticoes of Bologna
Located throughout the medieval historic center, it’s the porticoes that capture your attention first. Gary and I love this town and the charm that these stunning covered walkways bring to the city.
After disembarking from the train, we strolled and take our time – absorbing their beauty. These porticoes each are different in their own way. I really had no idea what to expect during our first trip. I’ve heard of them, but never realized an entire town, at least the centro storico, could be filled with them, one after the other.
When you reach the end of the passageway or walkway, you step down a few steps, depending on the height of the street, of course, cross the street, and step up under a whole new walkway. It’s almost as if they are little secret tunnels, just not completely enclosed. Along these walkways are shops of course. We found plenty of fornos, bakeries, clothing stores, mom-and-pop shops with oodles of covers and accessories for your smartphones, as well as an abundance of other little stores.
What didn’t surprise me is the number of restaurants and caffés you have to choose from under the protection of the porticoes. Some don’t even use umbrellas unless they extend to the outside of the covering.
These porticoes have come to define the cityscape


Bologna is famous for its porticoes. Used since ancient times as protection for pedestrians from the sun and the rain, It also created an extension of the house above. Porticoes became compulsory with a statute in 1288, with the characteristics that they had to be built on private soil, but could be used by citizens.
Hopefully This Year
The picturesque porticoes of Bologna are slated to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The board of the Italian National Commission for UNESCO which is based in Rome recommended the stunning Porticoes of Bologna as Italy’s 2020 candidate. All the locals are hopeful the nomination will receive final approval in 2021.


Italian Cooking Classes
Experience the Food
Bologna is the capital city in the Emilia Romagna region in northern Italy. Bologna is indeed famous for its porticoes but the food from this region is out of this world! Fresh egg-based pasta such as tagliatelle, tortellini, and lasagna is a foodie’s delight. The ragú or bolognese served over this fresh pasta is something you must taste and experience!
The cobblestone streets inside the city center are well preserved and while walking the town, there is a stretch of approximately 25 miles of these porticoes to explore.
Seligo / Authentic Italian Experience

Casa Isolani
The portico of Casa Isolani in Strada Maggiore has 9-meter-high columns (or 29.5 feet). This is the original wooden portico of Palazzo Grassi. This small section of portico dates back to the 13th century. The very high oak beams bear the third floor of a palace.



Editor’s Note: This article was initially published in October 2016 and was updated in September 2020 for accuracy and additional information.


21 Comments
Kristin Bruns
October 14, 2016 at 8:10 amLove the photos. Wish I was there.
imodica
September 14, 2020 at 9:25 amThanks, Kristin! I wish we were there right now too! Appreciate the comment!!
Jackie
September 11, 2020 at 11:50 amCan only imagine how amazing it is in person??
imodica
September 14, 2020 at 9:24 amIt is truly a sight to behold. Thank you Jackie for your comment!!
Yasmin
September 12, 2020 at 8:27 amAbsolutely hands down my favorite place in Italy (besides Rome). We took a Trafalgar tour in 2005 and our dinner was just outside of Bologna in Locanda Dei Castelli and had a 9 course dinner. We went back 7 years later and stayed at Il Convento Dei Fiore di Seta. A beautiful small hotel (converted from a Convent) and walkable to the towers in center of Bologna. Amazing restaurants, great cafes ❤️ Bologna. They even have a chocolate and fudge festival next to Bologna train station in October ?
imodica
September 14, 2020 at 9:24 amThanks for the information! I’ll have to be mindful if in Bologna in October! Thanks for the comment!!
Jenna Rank
September 14, 2020 at 7:15 amOh, was there this time last year – so beautiful!!
imodica
September 14, 2020 at 9:23 amThey are quite unique, Jenna. Thanks for the comment!
Melinda
September 14, 2020 at 9:46 amYour photos are gorgeous and your descriptions make me yearn to be there. Lovely.
imodica
September 14, 2020 at 9:51 amThank you Melinda! Appreciate the comment – if you haven’t been, may we suggest you put Bologna on your list!!
imodica
September 14, 2020 at 10:40 amI think we all want to be there right now, Melinda! Thanks for the comment!
Nichole the Nomad
September 14, 2020 at 10:32 amWOW! Bologna look so beautiful! The architecture is just so incredible. I have only been to small towns in Italy, so I’m excited to add Bologna to my bucket list!
imodica
September 14, 2020 at 10:39 amThanks, Nichole. For a big city- it kind-of has a small town feel. I know that sounds odd, but for me it’s true.
Keena
September 14, 2020 at 11:08 amThe architecture is beautiful , I would love to visit one day. Thanks for the detailed post.
imodica
September 14, 2020 at 11:27 amThanks so much, Keena – you should definitely put it on your list!
Patri
September 14, 2020 at 3:34 pmVery beautiful indeed, it looks so unique 🙂
imodica
September 14, 2020 at 3:53 pmThanks Patri for the comment. Bologna is a very unique city in Italy!
Colleen
September 14, 2020 at 6:57 pmBeautiful photos! Interesting details. Now I’m curious to know more about Bologna!
imodica
September 15, 2020 at 7:03 amThat you Colleen – we have other posts on Bologna if you’d like to find out more. Bologna is amazing… home of the largest sundial in the world too.
Sarah Arnstein
September 15, 2020 at 2:52 pmThank you for my Italy fix today! I cannot wait until I can travel to this beautiful country again.
imodica
September 15, 2020 at 4:18 pmSo funny, Sarah – I know exactly what you mean! Maybe we’ll meet you there!