Overview
The seat of city government since the 14th century
On your journey of discovery through Bologna, the Palazzo Comunale is a must-see. Also known as Palazzo d'Accursio, it takes its name from the building's presence in the home of Accursio, an ancient Bolognese master of law, and the fact that it has been the seat of the city's municipality since 1336. Its tower soars over Piazza Maggiore and sets the pace in the lives of the Bolognese with its clock and its wooden carousel with automata of the Madonna and Child and the Magi in procession.
The embattled façade is striking for the elegance of its arcades, in perfect Bolognese style, and its double lancet windows. But it is inside, that Palazzo d'Accursio hides its real treasures. Like the Sala d'Ercole, a treasure trove of works of art, and the Sala Rossa, named after the colour of the upholstery decorating the meeting place of the ancient city senate. Nowadays, you can even get married within these walls. Equally impressive are the Sala del Consiglio Comunale, the Sala Urbana and the Sala Farnese with its chapel, all richly frescoed. Climb to the second floor to visit the Collezioni Comunali d'Arte and immerse yourself in a collection of paintings, sculptures and furniture from the 19th and 20th centuries.
