What a nifty library--the history of this location alone is an incredible story spanning epochs…read more I love libraries. They are a doorway into the community and culture of the neighborhoods they reside in. This one was no exception. Even though it's located in the most touristy part of town, right on the NE corner of Piazza Maggiore, there were plenty of locals and students alike perusing, studying, reading, making use of the total facilities. On a weekday afternoon around 2pm when I visited there were several uniformed student groups on field trips here, leaving around the time I arrived. Inside the entry is free and open to the general public. First door on the right upon entry is the children's library which consists of a few different rooms with reading materials for young children under 5-6, mostly illustrated books. Children's artwork decorates the walls. Walking into the main atrium, three stories of columned archways flank the spacious rectangular chamber. On each floor are visible reading/sitting/studying/browsing areas, classrooms, and bookshelves of various mediums. Elaborate wooden coffered ceilings frame a central skylight. Uniquely inset into the atrium floor are square glass panels, providing a view of the ancient ruins underneath the library. When I was there an exhibit on children's book illustrators and the illustrations was on display in one corner, I admired the varied styles, diversity of artists and artistic mediums--sketches, oils, paints, digital, etc, what terrific talent! Wandering around each floor the library lounge seating and study tables were packed! And the general silence is golden rule certainly was relevant. Following signs for the ruins in the basement, I made my way downstairs, where I came upon a hallway diagram showing the history of the museum and the grounds it occupies, then to the door that leads to the underground conservation area. Inside there are metal walkways constructed so you can walk over the stone wall remains of two main streets from Roman times. Very cool that you can see above into the current library thru the aforementioned glass window squares.

Right in the middle of the main square is an ornate beautiful castle. We looked at the photographs…read moreand the names of the people that died in the struggle for freedom. We walked into a beautiful ornate library. There were children's rooms that were well used. The glass floors looked down at the ruins alone. Pretty incredible! This library opened in 2001, but the building, Palazzo d'Accursiouch older. The ruins underneath are the remains from the ancient city of Bononia, dating back to 189 BC.There are also Etruscan ruins on site that predate the Roman ones. Ancient ruins are accessible from the basement floor, where there is information. The archaeological site is supposed to be visible from the crystal floor in the centre of the library, but I couldn't see through it.

Walk out the back of the cathedral and across the street this amazing library!!…read more The details just in the open courtyard are stunning! You can go up stairs as well and explore we were unfortunately running out of time.

This library is part museum, part municipal library with some of the historic rooms and anatomical…read moreamphitheater open to the public. Reservations are recommended tho not required on weekdays. On a Tuesday afternoon in early April there were several high school student groups visiting and maybe a few dozen other regular tourists. Tickets are €3 in person and an extra €0.50 to reserve online in advance. I imagine the lines and crowds in the summer are longer. Upon entering the main entrance on the ground floor, most visitors take a stroll around the central courtyard then head up the stairs to the 1st floor (2nd floor to non-Europeans). Atop the stairs the main library room is on the right and the hallway to the anatomical theatre and public exhibit space and historical auditorium is on the left. The staff will direct tourists to the left, they're very strict on granting access to the functioning library rooms to only students with valid student IDs and reservations. The anatomical theatre is one of a few better known of such historical facilities in Bologna, being that it's traditionally a university city and they used to study anatomy science in this type of lecture hall. Raised seating overlooks a central table on a platform, where bodies were placed. This building was part of the university of Bologna until the university location moved to a more NE section of the city. There were some descriptive plaques placed outside which explained its functions and how this particular room was severely damaged during WWI, then reconstructed. After sitting and taking in the room, the progression of the visit follows a hallway where in April there was a temporary exhibit on Italian comic books and graphic novels. There wasn't a lot of English translation though it was intriguing to view the pages, art, books on display. Following this exhibit was a step into one of the former auditorium classrooms which showcases some of the thousands of student coats of arms lining the walls and ceiling within this complex. Apparently each coats of arms represented a student's background, and the honor of placing this permanent badge on the wall went to elected students leaders. An interesting spot to spend 45 min to 1 hour checking out. Reservations are required on Saturdays and holidays. There are lockers and bathrooms located in the building. Mobility accessible entry available.

This square is almost like a hub to all of the best sightseeing in Bologna. It's the central…read moresquare where a lot of the interesting sights are located. While we were there, they were setting up for some sort of viewing with a huge screen and plenty of seats. I didn't look up what it was for but I assume that because this square is so large and central, they do this sort of thing all of the time. We visited the fountain, the church and the shops and restaurants branching off from this square and we also took the San Luca express from here. Great way to landmark yourself in the city.

Other Yelp reviewers have covered many of the major points regarding location and this square's…read morecentrality to all the major site seeing attractions nearby. I'll add a few notes on some of the notable places to visit in and around this piazza: - Palazzo Re Enzo in April 2024 wasn't open to the public for general viewing, inside are mainly government offices. - Biblioteca Salaborsa: cool library building for history and architecture fans. Aside from the impressive details of the current building. Roman ruins are visible from main library floor and visitable underneath the library. See my separate review for this! - Biblioteca Communale and the Two Towers (Asinelli Tower and Garisenda Tower--not to be confused with LOTR) are about a 5 minute walk from this square. Towards the south for the historical library with a historic anatomical studies operating room, and directly east for the towers. - Signorvino: decent spot to people watch, enjoy some wine and a light meal or charcuterie while taking in the view of the piazza. Indoor and outdoor seating available. - Fontana del Nettuno: ask the locals about the legend around the sea god's sculpture...walk around it to view at different angles...maybe not appropriate for kiddies. - Cinema Modernissimo: recently renovated (end 2023) old school movie theater from 1915 that's underground and on the block next to the piazza. They play Italian classics, and both old and modern movies, tickets starting at €6 and some movies with free entry. All showings book up very quickly, so move fast--as of end June all paid shows were booked up thru end November. Hope anyone reading this enjoys their time in Bologna as much as I did!