Palazzo Comunale
Palazzo Comunale
4.5
Architectural Buildings • Government Buildings
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8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Santo Stefano
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Restaurants
1,685 within 3 miles
Attractions
516 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
517 reviews
Excellent
231
Very good
228
Average
57
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Stephen O'C
Vienna, Austria12 contributions
Apr 2022
A really nice start to our visit in Bologna city centre.
You can walk in off the Piazza Maggiore and enjoy two beautiful courtyards before ascending some steep ramps to the upper floors.
Some of the rooms in the upper levels can also be visited for free and feature some beautiful frescoes and an impressive view of the piazza below.
Between two courtyards on the ground floor was a very clever series of multimedia showing the development of different areas of Bologna through maps and old-time photos. Revealing and informative, put together with care.
Definitely worth a look - free of charge.
We wandered around for about 30-40 minutes inside, before moving on to the cathedral.
You can walk in off the Piazza Maggiore and enjoy two beautiful courtyards before ascending some steep ramps to the upper floors.
Some of the rooms in the upper levels can also be visited for free and feature some beautiful frescoes and an impressive view of the piazza below.
Between two courtyards on the ground floor was a very clever series of multimedia showing the development of different areas of Bologna through maps and old-time photos. Revealing and informative, put together with care.
Definitely worth a look - free of charge.
We wandered around for about 30-40 minutes inside, before moving on to the cathedral.
Written April 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Asiyah Noemi K
Pula, Croatia4,972 contributions
Dec 2019
The beautiful atmosphere of the main town square can be attributed to the Palazzo d'Accursio. The beautiful atmosphere was evoked by the famous musician Luccio Dalla in his unforgettable song Piazza Grande. The Palazzo D’Accursio or Comunale, located in the center of Bologna in Piazza Maggiore, is one of the most important buildings in Bologna, which has been the seat of the city since 1336. Now is the city's Town Hall. A significant building for the city of Bologna, rich in history. The earliest structure of the Palazzo d'Accursio originally began as the residence of the jurist Accursius, but over time, it was incorporated and expanded to include adjacent buildings to house civic offices. In 1336 it became the seat of the Anziani ("Elders"), the highest magistrates of the commune, and then the seat of the government. In the 15th century it was refurbished under the designs of architect Fioravante Fioravanti, who added the Clock Tower (Torre d'Accursio). The façade features a portcullis and a Madonna with Child, a terracotta by Niccolò dell'Arca (1478) in the upper section. Over the portal is a large bronze statue of Bolognese Pope Gregory XIII (1580). A bronze statue of Pope Boniface VIII, once here, is now in the Medieval Museum. Inside the complex it is possible to visit, climbing the sixteenth-century cordoned staircase attributed to Bramante, up to the Hall of the Communal Council, on the first floor, where the Bolognese Senate met, and contains a gallery ceiling frescoed with Baroque-style quadrature by Angelo Michele Colonna and Gioacchino Pizzoli (1675–1677). The palace is also home to the Civic Art Collection, with paintings from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, the Museo Morandi, with the works by Giorgio Morandi, and the Biblioteca Salaborsa, the town libraries.
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jivko V
Sofia, Bulgaria1,543 contributions
Jan 2020
Palazzo Comunale is at Piazza Maggiore. This palace was bought by the government in 1336 and is currently the Town hall of Bologna.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doyleygirl
Harpenden, UK316 contributions
Feb 2020
This is basically the must visit central Piazza Maggiore in Bologna. Here you can view all the architecture of the area and while away the time in this pedestrianised (at weekends) site.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thombly
Bologna, Italy1,326 contributions
Nov 2012 • Friends
Palazzo d'Accursio (this is its real name) is one of the symbols of Bologna.
The stairs, the big halls (look for Sala Farnese) and frescos and wooden ceilings, the inner courtyard, the view of the town from the first and second floor, the huge pic of Bologna from the air, and its museums (you need a ticket for them) and usual temporary exhibition are surely worth a visit.
The ideal place also to relax a bit.
Friendly staff, even not always specialized on touristical issues.
There also is a lift.
The stairs, the big halls (look for Sala Farnese) and frescos and wooden ceilings, the inner courtyard, the view of the town from the first and second floor, the huge pic of Bologna from the air, and its museums (you need a ticket for them) and usual temporary exhibition are surely worth a visit.
The ideal place also to relax a bit.
Friendly staff, even not always specialized on touristical issues.
There also is a lift.
Written January 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erika
Caracas, Venezuela9,817 contributions
Aug 2020
Really big building in thge central square of Bologna. This area of the city feels a little more modern than the rest.
Written September 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom8,650 contributions
May 2019
Piazza Maggiore is surrounded by several big, heavy, red brick palazzos. This is the most interesting of them. It’s the one with St Gregory above the door and the clock tower.
It is next door to the basilica, so you don't have to go out of your way to see it. If you have limited time, then you don’t have to go inside – it’s not a must-see. However if you have time to explore, then it is worth a look and entry is free.
The palazzo was the seat of government since 1336 and still functions as Town Hall.
From the piazza, head through the arches with the big heavy striped columns and into the central courtyard. The different shades of dark red and pink stone (so different from Venice or Florence) are striking.
Other points of interest are:
* The Great Horse Staircase – I loved that these stairs were built in 1857 for the sole reason of making sure that the city governor could step out of his carriage right outside his front door. His apartments were on the first floor so the only way the horses could get up there was with a special staircase. You can also imagine retinues of government officials on horseback riding up and down staircase.
* Exhibitions –we came across two free temporary photographic exhibitions in the Sala Farnese. I loved the contrast of the modern exhibitions against the old, patterned floors, frescoed walls and ornate ceilings
* Hercules Hall (Sala DErcole) elegant white and cream coloured room giant statue Hercules.
* This is the best tip – when you are in the Sala Farnese, make sure you go to the end of the room for a great view looking down across Piazza Maggiore from its windows.
* There is a museum/gallery inside (but we did not go in so cannot comment)
It is next door to the basilica, so you don't have to go out of your way to see it. If you have limited time, then you don’t have to go inside – it’s not a must-see. However if you have time to explore, then it is worth a look and entry is free.
The palazzo was the seat of government since 1336 and still functions as Town Hall.
From the piazza, head through the arches with the big heavy striped columns and into the central courtyard. The different shades of dark red and pink stone (so different from Venice or Florence) are striking.
Other points of interest are:
* The Great Horse Staircase – I loved that these stairs were built in 1857 for the sole reason of making sure that the city governor could step out of his carriage right outside his front door. His apartments were on the first floor so the only way the horses could get up there was with a special staircase. You can also imagine retinues of government officials on horseback riding up and down staircase.
* Exhibitions –we came across two free temporary photographic exhibitions in the Sala Farnese. I loved the contrast of the modern exhibitions against the old, patterned floors, frescoed walls and ornate ceilings
* Hercules Hall (Sala DErcole) elegant white and cream coloured room giant statue Hercules.
* This is the best tip – when you are in the Sala Farnese, make sure you go to the end of the room for a great view looking down across Piazza Maggiore from its windows.
* There is a museum/gallery inside (but we did not go in so cannot comment)
Written November 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bunyip Adventures
West Lothian, UK161 contributions
Oct 2019
While walking around on a Sunday morning we walked up the unusual stairs to find access to a very large art collection dating back hundreds of years. Not normally our thing but it was interesting and free which is a bonus for such a collection.
Written October 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
masinorfolk
norfolk38 contributions
Feb 2019 • Family
Located at the main square is the town hall, which is free to enter. Very usual staircase which I am told is ideal for horses to use. We spent well over 1 hour walking around it to different rooms. Make sure you visit
Written February 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony130258
Herne Bay, UK44 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
The palazzo was lovely with streets full of great shops and little eateries leading off the main square. Sadly the art gallery is closed on a Monday so we did not see that bit. Also things might be closed in the afternoon so beware the opening and closing times. Sitting in a cafe overlooking the palazzo is a good way to pass the time. Lovely!
Written February 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anja M
Dessau, Germany
Wie komme ich in die Biblioteca-Mediateca? Ich kann den Eingang nicht finden. :(
Palazzo Comunale (Bologna) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Palazzo Comunale
- Palazzo Comunale is open:
- Mon - Thu 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- Fri - Fri 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- We recommend booking Palazzo Comunale tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Palazzo Comunale tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Palazzo Comunale:
- (0.02 mi) Casa Isolani
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- (0.03 mi) Spacious and Elegant Apartment of Great Charm in the historic center of Bologna
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- Restaurants near Palazzo Comunale:
- (0.02 mi) Bar Vittorio Emanuele, dal 1882
- (0.02 mi) Piano Piano
- (0.02 mi) Bar Romano Snc
- (0.03 mi) Pigro Mortadelleria
- (0.04 mi) Adesso Pasta Car Ristorante
Palazzo Comunale Information
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