Top Rated Attractions in Bologna

Erected in the Baroque style by Carlo Francesco Dotti in 1741, this church is perched on top of a hill overlooking the city of Bologna. Energetic tourists and ambitious joggers make the trek of just over three and a half kilometers (two miles) up to the majestic Santuario up the long portico lined with 666 arches leading from Porta Saragozza to the sanctuary on Colle della Guardia. Built in honor of an image of the Madonna, the edifice is beautiful, both for its architecture and its exclusive view. Each May the citizens of Bologna carry the figure of the Madonna around the city in procession. People travel from all over the world to take part; it is said that doing so is of great spiritual benefit.

Within the Accursio palace, the seat of the City's Administration, reached via the charming Piazza Maggiore, you can visit the twenty magnificent rooms which currently hold the city's prestigious art collection. These sumptuous rooms, adorned with decoration and frescoes painted between the 16th and 19th Centuries, constituted, until 1859, the main seat of pontifical justice in Bolgna. The collection of works exhibited, which has been on show since 1935, was built up through private purchases and conspicuous donations to the community of Bologna by several wealthy families: the Palagi, Baruzzi, Pepoli, Verzaglia and Pizzardi families. The collection are worth visiting since they include several master works by famous Bolognese artists, such as Simone dei Crocifissi, Jacopo di Paolo, Vitale da Bologna, Francesco Francia, Bartolomeo Passerotti, Jacopo Tintoretto, Ludovico Carracci, Giuseppe Maria Crespi, Gaetano Gandolfi, Angelo Michele Colonna.

The very modern Jewish Museum in Bologna is housed in the Palazzo Pannolini in the heart of Bologna's old Jewish Ghetto. A fascinating journey through the narrow streets and alleys of the ghetto will introduce you to an even more interesting itinerary: 500 square meters of exhibitions devoted to the history of the Jewish population. The museum is divided into three sections: the first features historical events and the problem of Jewish identity, the second is dedicated to temporary activities and in the third there is a delightful center for data transmission. There is also a specialized library where meetings, debates, and initiatives involving young people are also held here.

Museo Pelagalli (Mille Voci e Mille Suoni) contains more than 800 pieces, which illustrate the history of radio, from Marconi to the present time. It covers the History of musical machines between the 17th-19th Centuries. One room is entirely dedicated to Marconi, another exhibits mechanical equipment, cameras, civil and military radio equipment, and the work of the Ducati brothers. One section includes the history of television, and there is also an area dedicated to the history of Italian and Neapolitan songs, containing more than 5000 songs, period records, and precious musical scores. Furthermore, there is a film library, full of theatre bills and films, a music library, and a room for frequent visitors to the museum.

This palazzo was built in 1549 and is thought to have been designed by Pellegrino Tibaldi. The Torre della Specola e Museo Astronomico is built on top of the palazzo and dates back to 1725. It was built by Carlo Francesco Dotti. The university of Bologna has used the building since 1802 as an Institute for Science and as a museum for the university. They has visiting times every day. It is possible to visit the historic Aula Carducci where Giosué Carducci taught and see the beautiful courtyard which contains a sandstone statue of Hercules by Angelo Grabiello Piò.

The Love for Ducati's Motorcycles paved way for Livio Lodi to curate the Ducati Museum. Established in 1998, the museum features a collection of all the Ducati motorcycles as well as a few other products from the start of Ducati's history. 2016 marked the 90th Anniversary for Ducati, which made them revise each and every item on their collection list.