Porticos, Bologna Overview

A portico is like a walkway with a roof-like structure outside a building and is centred at the building's entrance. The city of Bologna is known for its porticos, which have been declared "World Heritage Sites" by UNESCO. They stretch a total distance of 62km, with 40km in the city's historic centre.

Each portico is unique in its design; here's a list of some must-see porticoes along with what makes them special:

Portico di San Luca—Longest portico and offers spectacular views
Portico at Palazzo della Banca d’Italia—Decorated with impressive frescoes.
Portico at Teatro Comunale—You can hear musical rehearsals as it lies outside an Opera Theatre.
Portico del Pavaglione—Lined with high-end stores, you can window shop to your heart's content.

The history of Bologna's porticoes

What’s with all the porticos in Bologna? It all started around 1100 when Bologna became a Commune, and the University, one of the first, was founded. This attracted many students, professors and residents to settle here. Then, in 1288, a statute by the Commune made it imperative for all new residential places to be constructed with porticoes. These provided shelter during the night and from rains and heat; they also allowed artists to practise and display their craft outside for others to see. So today, the city has come to be known as ‘la città dei portici’ (the city of porticos). The city has also introduced a guided walking tour for tourists to discover some of the best porticoes with their history.