Trips Experiences Courses Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Iceland • 8 days, 7 nights
Iceland in Winter: Chasing the Northern Lights
from
New Zealand, South Island, Wanaka
New Zealand • 12 days, 11 nights
Wild New Zealand: Exploring the North & South Islands
from
View all trips
Loading...
Upcoming Courses
View All Courses »
Playing for Keeps: Designing Keepsake Games With Shing Yin Khor
Writing the Food Memoir: A Workshop With Gina Rae La Cerva
Creating Crossword Puzzles With Brooke Husic & Natan Last
3D Paper Art: Pop-Ups and Paper Engineering With Yoojin Kim
Designing Walking Tours With Hadley Meares
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Experiences Courses Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All Italy Bologna

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Bologna

19 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Bologna, Italy

Updated March 5, 2021

Email
Attractions
Food & Drink
Trips
Map
Leaderboards
Stories
Hotel Deals

Unusual Attractions in Bologna

The Finestrella sul Canale (Canal Window)

Bologna, Italy

Finestrella di Via Piella

A small window on Via Piella offers a lovely and rare peek at Bologna's lost canals.
Anatomical exhibits at the Museo di Palazzo Poggi

Bologna, Italy

Museo di Palazzo Poggi Anatomy & Obstetrics Collection

An extraordinary collection of 18th century anatomical waxworks.
Artist impression of medieval Bologna.

Bologna, Italy

Towers of Bologna

Over 100 towers were built in Bologna during the Middle Ages, but only 22 survive.

Bologna, Italy

Saint Catherine of Bologna

The mummified relic of St. Catherine sits forever on a golden throne.
Wax anatomical model without brain

Bologna, Italy

Bologna's Istituto di Anatomia Umana Normale

An amazing collection of wax anatomical models and terratological models.
The Anatomical Theatre of Archiginnasio

Bologna, Italy

Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio

In the world's oldest university is a stunning 17th century anatomical theater carved from spruce.

Bologna, Italy

Bologna Zoological Museum

This zoological museum began as the first great curiosity cabinet.
Fountain of Neptune.

Bologna, Italy

Fountain of Neptune

Legend has it this fountain built to symbolize the Pope’s power hides a strange secret concerning Neptune's manliness.
See All 19 Things To Do in Bologna

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Bologna

Bologna, Italy

Antica Aguzzeria del Cavallo

Once known for its horse-powered knife sharpening, this 200-year-old shop offers an array of blades and hard-to-find culinary tools.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Trips

NEW - Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia

Whimsical architecture, outstanding olive oil, and gorgeous landscapes.

Learn More

Explore Bologna, Italy

Architecture 2

Bologna Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Avatar image for StepYoshi
    StepYoshi
    2
  2. Avatar image for Marco Dst
    Marco Dst
    2
  3. Avatar image for leiris
    leiris
    1
  4. I
    illaberec
    1
  5. Avatar image for talkinmonkey
    talkinmonkey
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Bologna.

Places Edited

  1. S
    Skjel
    3
  2. B
    bn4vbjcmzz
    3
  3. Avatar image for ajs2712
    ajs2712
    3
  4. Avatar image for Annetta Black
    Annetta Black
    3
  5. Avatar image for Marco Dst
    Marco Dst
    2
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. H
    Hitodama
    19
  2. Avatar image for Rufy19
    Rufy19
    18
  3. Avatar image for Ruggero Ullan
    Ruggero Ullan
    18
  4. E
    emanueleiannantuoni
    17
  5. G
    gabriellafrattini16
    17
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Bologna.

Recent Bologna Activity

  • T

    tigre87

    wants to go to The Demon of Palazzo Salina

  • K

    katharinav

    wants to go to Antica Aguzzeria del Cavallo

  • Avatar image for willvick

    willvick

    has been to Towers of Bologna

  • F

    florencedbock

    wants to go to Museo di Palazzo Poggi Anatomy & Obstetrics Collection

  • F

    florencedbock

    wants to go to Finestrella di Via Piella

Stories About Bologna

The partial skull found in Marcel Loubens Cave is more than 5,000 years old

Solved: The Mystery of a Lonely Human Skull in an Italian Cave

Scientists found answers in a single piece of evidence.
by Gemma Tarlach
March 5, 2021
Snapdragons (Anthirrinum majus) grow from Bologna's ancient fortifications.

A Century-Old Botanical Catalog Shows How Urban Plant Life Has Changed

In Bologna and other cities around the world, it’s the age of the hardy invader.
by Isaac Schultz
July 9, 2019

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads and no pop-ups.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube Twitter Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Puzzles
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Trips Blog
  • Art & Culture Trips
  • Food Trips
  • Hidden City Trips
  • History Trips
  • Wildlife & Nature Trips
  • FAQ
  • Experiences
  • Online Courses
  • Online Experience FAQ
  • Online Course FAQ
  • Eclipse Festival 2024
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2024 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.