Piazza Maggiore

The Piazza Maggiore (the Great Place ) is the principal place of Bologna, around which the most important buildings of the city are dating from the medieval period.

Oldest of all is the Palazzo del Podestà in the south, which goes back to 1200, this one is surmounted by the Torre dell' Arengo . With dimensioned, is the Palais of the King Enzo ( Palazzo Re Enzo ) who was added to the first. The west of place is closed by the Palazzo d' Accursio (or Palazzo Comunale ), a monumental architectural complex of the 14th century, which shelters the Town hall but also the Musée Morandi. This building also gives on the Piazza del Nettuno , joint in Piazza Maggiore, the center of which throne the Fontaine of Neptune ( Fontana del Nettuno ), also called Fontaine of the Giant , realized in 1565 by Giambologna.

In the south, vis-a-vis Palazzo del Podestà, rises the majestic unfinished frontage of the Basilique San Petronio, splendid illustration of the Italian Gothic, whose construction began at the end of the 14th century and finished three centuries later.

Lastly, Is place is closed by the Palazzo dei Banchi, set up between 1565 and 1568 by Jacques Barozzio. It is of this palate that share a gantry, which goes until the Palazzo dell' Archiginnasio , medieval seat of the Université of Bologna, today one of most beautiful and rich libraries European.

The place such as we see it today developed at the 13th century, when Bolonais transfer the importance to have a place intended for the market. Many popular buildings of the zone were bought by the Commune then shot down.

It is only at the 15th century that the place adopted its current form whereas at the 16th century the whole zone was refitted by papal will and its intermediary, the Cardinal Légat Charles Borromée. Piazza del Nettuno was built with its splendid Fontaine as well as the Palazzo dell' Archiginnasio .

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