Castello di Galliera

The remains of the Rocca di Porta di Galliera can be seen at the end of Via dell'Indipendenza at the foot of the Parco della Montagnola. This once magnificent castle was the symbol of the Pope's control of Bologna. It was built at the beginning of the 14th Century on the orders of Cardinal Bertrando del Proggetto. There was a particularly close relationship between Bologna and the church for about four centuries. The relationship varied between difficult and hostile periods to times of peaceful cooperation. The castle was always the first symbol of oppression to be attacked by the people and over the years it was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. The castle was eventually completely destroyed and the ruins were used by the architect, Martinetti, to build a city park (Parco Montagnola) in the 19th Century.