Hotels near Piazza Maggiore

Piazza Maggiore is the civic and physical heart of Bologna, a rectangular medieval square surrounded by five centuries of institutional architecture: the Palazzo Comunale (city hall, with a huge painted Madonna by Giovanni da Modena above the main door), the Palazzo del Podesta, the Palazzo dei Banchi, and the west flank of the Basilica di San Petronio. The square has been the gathering place for the city's political life since the 13th century - and still is. Markets, concerts, outdoor cinema in summer, and the city's Christmas celebrations all happen here.

In the centre of the square stands the Neptune Fountain (Fontana del Nettuno), a 1566 bronze by Giambologna that Bolognesi affectionately call 'il Gigante' (the Giant). Entry to the square is free and open all hours; the surrounding palaces have varying opening times and most are free to enter.

Pro Tip: The Palazzo Comunale is free to enter and its upper floor rooms (Sala Rossa, Sala del Consiglio) have excellent frescoes and a view down onto the square below - almost nobody goes up. The entrance is through the archway on the left side of the building and the rooms are open during working hours, Monday to Friday.