Location: San Vitale
Top Things to do in San Vitale
What to do and see in San Vitale, Emilia-Romagna: The Best Things to do
While crowds of tourists fill Venice, Florence and Rome, Bologna remains relatively quiet in comparison. This medieval university town is charming, historic and fun to explore… and you'll find Bologna's local cuisine is light-years away from the American deli meat bearing the city's name.
Restaurants in Bologna
1. Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 575 reviews
Reviewed By Tiggy20 - London, United Kingdom
This wonderful gallery of 13-18th century Italian art was one of the absolute highlights of our visit to Bologna. A whole room is dedicated to Giotto, which we enjoyed mostly by ourselves, as was the case with the Raphael paintings. There is also a stunning room dedicated to the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci's contemporary Guido Reni, where one can see paintings spanning his career, the only painting not by Reni being a portrait of him. Closed on Mondays, for most of the year this Pinacoteca, in the university district, is open throughout the day, unlike most of the city's churches. There is no café, so if - as we did - you want to stay several hours it is best to visit a nearby café beforehand. Well worth the entry charge, credit cards are not accepted, so be prepared for that. There are lockers in the basement (1 euro returnable). In writing this review I am already wishing I could return in the next few months to this haven of wonderful paintings, well captioned in Italian and English (for some exhibits) with virtually no other tourists.
2. Museo della Specola
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Astronomical observation tower built in the early 18th century, when its setting, the Poggi Palace, was converted into the Science Institute. Today it is an astronomy museum open to the public.
3. Chiesa di San Giacomo Maggiore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
4. Museo di Palazzo Poggi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 352 reviews
Against the extraordinary backdrop of the 16th-century wall paintings that decorate the building, the Museo di Palazzo Poggi reconstructs the paths of research and education that gave Bologna its sterling scientific reputation in the modern age: the Ulisse Aldrovandi Museum, the Ferdinando Cospi Collection, the collections amassed by Luigi Ferdinando Marsili, and the furnishings and instruments that belonged to the 18th-century Istituto delle Scienze.Based on 18th-century documentation and the scientific production of those who played a leading role during an extraordinary period in Italian culture, the museum brings a substantial part of Bologna’s scientific collections back to its 18th-century venue. It recreates the setting and system of relationships that made these collections an important part of the “scientific mentality” of the era, transforming them into essential documents that now allow us to interpret the modern scientific culture.
Reviewed By 133neill - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Unsurprisingly, the oldest university in Europe has a fine collection of historical items in a historic building. Particularly interesting to medical, nautical or cartography enthusiasts. You also get something of the university area around. The library and old operating theatre are also remarkable.
5. Museo Delle Cere Anatomiche
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
6. Museo Geologico Giovanni Capellini
7. Museo di Mineralogia "Luigi Bombicci"
8. Biblioteca Universitaria di Bologna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 204 reviews
Reviewed By rjmartin50
I went there specifically to visit the university and wasn’t disappointed. Very interesting from an academic and historical perspective
9. Torre Prendiparte
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 452 reviews
Our purpose: to rediscover, preserve, and promote the cultural heritage of Emilia Romagna’s capital and much more. From its dialect and history, to its customs and culinary traditions. From its art and architecture, to its monuments, music, and more. All done through a specific local marketing strategy that includes events, guided tours, publications, research projects, and other local projects.
Reviewed By Briansky01 - Toronto, Canada
It absoultely takes your breath away! After a seemingly endless climb, you will get the best view on the city. We visited this site on a tour, and I must say it was one of the highlights for us!
10. Cattedrale di San Pietro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 914 reviews
Reviewed By Sylvain54321 - Lugrin, France
Strangely enough, this cathedral is not located on the main square of Bologna (where there is another basilica), but about 50 meters away. Thus the cathedral is a bit cramped between traffic roads, which lessens a bit the perspective. The architecture is amazing, both inside and outside the cathedral, so this is definitely worth a short visit at the least. That being said, for a cathedral, the decorations inside are less abundant than in some other Italian cities like Roma or Milano.
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