The historical city of Bologna has the most porticos in the world with nearly 40 kilometres of long walkways and tall arches you can stroll through (not to mention the first thing I noticed when I arrived). The covered walkways give Bologna its unique character dating back to the 1200s. Since then, there have been medieval, gothic, and renaissance influences in their design but just because you’ve seen one portico here doesn’t mean you’ve seen them all. Each one is very different, from its structure to its shadows, and the different perspective they offer.
With hot summers and rainy winters Bolognesi don’t use the excuse of weather as a reason to stay indoors. The porticos let you escape the elements and still enjoy life outside. You can easily walk from portico to portico on a rainy day without getting even an ounce of raindrop or on a sunny day shielded from the heat. Going on a passeggiata and gelato in hand is the quintessential thing to do under one of these.
Bologna’s porticos were built because of the city’s early growth when eager students rushed to the world’s first university and rich people built more than 180 towers just for themselves. Bologna simply needed more room. Porticos created more liveable space higher above ground level, with shops and shop owners underneath them, and arches of at least seven feet tall meant men riding their horses could easily pass through. Even artists and craftsmen could work outside, sheltered from the elements.
One of the first (and oldest) porticos in Bologna is the Portico di Palazzo Grassi on Via Marsala with it’s well-preserved original wood and wooden pillars from the 13th century. In 1567, a law passed banning porticos made of wood. They would be replaced with more sturdy brick or stone, which would also help withstand natural disasters and damage in future wars (Bologna was heavily bombed during the Second World War). More than nine centuries later, some of the city’s very first passageways still exist today. Can you imagine these old wooden structures having stood the test of time?
Walking these historical paths around Bologna, I feel that Europe gets these beautiful Colonnades and back home we get grungy scaffoldings and ratty old awnings 🙁
I love Bologna, such a pretty city. Great photos!
Love the way you captured this city! Will definitely add this to my list of places to see on my next visit to Italy. So many good hidden gems I missed the first time! Wonderful piece.
Thanks Alicia. It really is a beautiful city, lots of fantastic architecture and delicious food. Bologna even has an adventurous side to it like biking, hiking and water rafting! I’d love to go back to explore that side more!
Beautiful photographs! The history alone makes Italy an amazing destination, but mix in amazing architecture and a way to enjoy the city no matter what the elements are and you have me thinking, I need to go to Bologna! Talk about a photographer’s dream.
Arienne, I didn’t mention it in the article but it must have taken me an hour just to get to my apartment from the train station (which is only a 10 minute walk!) I kept stopping to take pictures! I had never seen a city quite like this one!
Wow. Amazing architecture.
I was pleasantly surprised too Drew! I’ve seen Bologna in photos before but in person it really is something else.
I’ll have to check it out in person.
You definitely should! Send me a message if you want any help with booking or planning!
This definitely looks like a place I would love visiting!
Lorenzo, I think you’d really like it. The architecture is gorgeous and Bolognese food is like nothing else!