Basilica
of St Petronius
The south side of the Piazza Maggiore is dominated by San Petronio, the
largest church in Bologna, which is dedicated to the town's patron saint.
Begun in 1390 it was not completed according to the original plan, work
being suspended about 1650 after the construction of the nave. The
sculpture on the main doorway of the unfinished facade is by Jacopo della
Quercia (1425-38). The interior ranks as the supreme achievement of Gothic
architecture in Italy. Note the pieta by Amico Aspertini (1519) and the
various wall-paintings.
Leaning
Towers (photo - right)
In the middle of the Piazza di Porta Ravegnana in Bologna are the Leaning
Towers, two plain brick towers (Torre degli Asinelli and Torre Garisenda)
originally built for defensive purposes, which have become a landmark and
an emblem of the city. The Torre degli Asinelli (1119; 498 steps),
97.6m/322ft high, leans 1.23m/4ft from the vertical; the Torre Garisenda (begun
end of 11th century), 48m/158ft high, is 3.22m/10.75ft aslant.
From the Piazza di Porta Ravegnana five streets radiate to the gates on
the east side of the town - Via Castiglione, Via Santo Stefano, Strada
Maggiore, Via San Vitale and Via Zamboni.
Morandi Museum
In 1993 the Morandi Museum was opened on the upper floor of the Palazzo
d'Accursio. On display are over 200 paintings, water-colors, drawings and
etchings by the Bolognese painter G. Morandi (1890-1964), mainly donated
by his family. His studio has also been reconstructed here together with
his extensive library.
Piazza
Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno (photo - right)
The life of Bologna centers around two adjoining squares (both pedestrian
precincts), the Piazza Maggiore and the Piazza del Nettuno. In the Piazza
del Nettuno is the Neptune Fountain by Giambologna (1563-67), one of the
finest fountains of the 16th century.
Bevilacqua Palace
In Via d'Azeglio, is the Palazzo Bevilacqua, built in 1474-82 in the Early
Renaissance style of the Florentine palaces, with a fine courtyard and a
beautiful facade.
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Basilica
of St Petronius
Leaning
Towers (photo - right)
Piazza
Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno (photo - right)
