Biblioteca Salaborsa (Salaborsa Library), Bologna (must see)
Part of the expansive Municipal Palace ("Palazzo d'Accursio") complex, the Salaborsa Library occupies the former Stock Exchange (Borsa), ingeniously repurposed into a modern multimedia library and cultural hub, designed in Art Nouveau style. Beneath the library's expansive floor, a glass panel in the Covered Square unveils remnants of medieval and Roman settlements, including fragments of the forum and Roman pavement, offering visitors unrestricted access to these historical excavations from the lower basement level.
Before assuming its current role, this sizeable section of the Municipal Palace served a multitude of functions. In 1568, the renowned Bolognese naturalist, Ulisse Aldrovandi, established Bologna's Botanic Garden in the courtyard here, dedicated to the academic exploration of medicinal plants, marking one of Europe's earliest botanic gardens (the present-day botanic garden is located in the university quarter). Subsequently, the courtyard transitioned into a military training ground and later housed bank offices, a puppet theatre, and even a basketball court before being transformed into the Stock Exchange.
Before assuming its current role, this sizeable section of the Municipal Palace served a multitude of functions. In 1568, the renowned Bolognese naturalist, Ulisse Aldrovandi, established Bologna's Botanic Garden in the courtyard here, dedicated to the academic exploration of medicinal plants, marking one of Europe's earliest botanic gardens (the present-day botanic garden is located in the university quarter). Subsequently, the courtyard transitioned into a military training ground and later housed bank offices, a puppet theatre, and even a basketball court before being transformed into the Stock Exchange.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bologna. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Biblioteca Salaborsa (Salaborsa Library) on Map
Sight Name: Biblioteca Salaborsa (Salaborsa Library)
Sight Location: Bologna, Italy (See walking tours in Bologna)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Bologna, Italy (See walking tours in Bologna)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Bologna, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Bologna
Creating your own self-guided walk in Bologna is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bologna Introduction Walking Tour
Bologna is the Emilia-Romagna region's capital. This large northern city is the seventh most populous city in Italy and has been a vital cultural center for millennia.
Archeological discoveries indicate the area has been settled since the third millennium BC. First, the Etruscans settled the area, then the Celts, and then the Romans. During the Middle Ages, Bologna was a free municipality... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Archeological discoveries indicate the area has been settled since the third millennium BC. First, the Etruscans settled the area, then the Celts, and then the Romans. During the Middle Ages, Bologna was a free municipality... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Bologna Palaces
Bologna is famous for a huge number of ancient buildings and unique historic sites, closely associated with a huge number of mysteries and legends. There are numerous incredibly beautiful palaces in the city, richly adorned with art by great masters, intricately decorated interiors and luxurious old furniture. Each palace is fit to leave an unforgettable impression upon visitors, firmly imprinted... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Bologna's Shopping Areas
When it comes to shopping, Bologna walks tall amid grands like Milan or Rome, with a harmonious mix of international chains, exclusive boutiques, luxury stores and open-air markets lining the streets in the city center, offering a wealth of international fashion, designer brands and top quality local delicacies in rich supply.
Shopping here is particularly pleasant on weekends when Zone... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Shopping here is particularly pleasant on weekends when Zone... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Historical Churches
The historic city of Bologna is one of the most sumptuous medieval places in Italy, as well as one of the country's most visited destinations. There are churches everywhere in the city, many of which are well-preserved and well worth a visit. Magnificent and centuries-old, each of them has its own specialty and history carved into, replete with great historic artifacts associated with world... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles