The Squares of Bologna

Introduction to The Squares of Bologna Walking through Bologna means crossing centuries of history, preserved not only in its buildings and porticoes but, above all, in its squares. These are living spaces where the city reveals its true self: a harmonious blend of culture, spirituality, politics, and daily life. Its squares—whether vast or intimate, monumental or secluded—tell the story of the city’s life. They are places where the past is not merely remembered but still lived: settings for markets, art, religion, struggle, and celebration. Every stone tells a chapter of collective life and in an era where cities tend to become uniform, Bologna proudly preserves its squares as a living memory of its history and culture. The most important is Piazza Maggiore, the symbolic and geographical heart of the city. It was established in the Middle Ages as a space for markets and civic administration and is flanked by the city’s main public and religious buildings, including the basilica