BOLOGNA AND ITS ARCADES: UNESCO HERITAGE
Avril 01 2024
ART CURIOSITIES BOLOGNA 
There is no other city in the world that has as many arcades as Bologna: all together they measure in length almost 40 kilometres only in the old town, and reach 62 km counting those out of town. What characterizes them most is surely the history they have behind them, ancient and fascinating; in fact, their birth is very particular, and not everyone knows that, In the beginning, they were not created to protect from the weather as they are mainly used today.
The origins of the arcades are linked to the period of expansion of Medieval Bologna, when the inauguration of the University in 1088 brought students and intellectuals from all over Italy and the world to the city. Faced with the sharp increase in population, it was necessary to expand the living spaces and the commercial and artisan activities of the urban fabric, without occupying public land and taking away useful space for city life. The arcades were the ideal solution: they allowed to expand the upper part of the buildings and, at the same time, offer protection from the weather and the sun.
Born almost spontaneously, they were regulated from 1288 with a notice of the City that imposed the addition of the arcades to the houses already built and established that the new buildings should be erected with one of them. From that moment on, the arcade officially became the place of exchange and commerce, and the space where the artisans kept their workshop. Some rare wooden arcades, however, have survived in the old town to the present day.
To see with your own eyes this incredible testimony of the past just look for the suggestive Casa Isolani in Strada Maggiore, protagonist of the legend of the three arrows that observing carefully can still be seen in the ceiling. Otherwise, you can go under the Two Towers to admire the adjacent arcades of the Houses Reggiani-Seracchioli. A separate paragraph deserves the arcade that climbs up to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, a succession of 666 arches for a total of 3,796 km, making it the longest in the world. It was built between 1674 and 1739 for religious reasons: it was necessary, in fact, to protect the faithful who every year attended the procession of the holy image of Madonna di San Luca up to the old town, a ceremony still celebrated today.
Finally, the building that houses our Hotel, the ancient city hall of Bologna of the XII century, boasts a very important arcade from the architectural point of view with a beautiful perfectly preserved polystyle pillar that is often admired by students and tourists. Today, the arcades of Bologna become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This confirms that our city is an authentic cradle of culture, art and architectural beauty.
Revenir
The origins of the arcades are linked to the period of expansion of Medieval Bologna, when the inauguration of the University in 1088 brought students and intellectuals from all over Italy and the world to the city. Faced with the sharp increase in population, it was necessary to expand the living spaces and the commercial and artisan activities of the urban fabric, without occupying public land and taking away useful space for city life. The arcades were the ideal solution: they allowed to expand the upper part of the buildings and, at the same time, offer protection from the weather and the sun.
Born almost spontaneously, they were regulated from 1288 with a notice of the City that imposed the addition of the arcades to the houses already built and established that the new buildings should be erected with one of them. From that moment on, the arcade officially became the place of exchange and commerce, and the space where the artisans kept their workshop. Some rare wooden arcades, however, have survived in the old town to the present day.
To see with your own eyes this incredible testimony of the past just look for the suggestive Casa Isolani in Strada Maggiore, protagonist of the legend of the three arrows that observing carefully can still be seen in the ceiling. Otherwise, you can go under the Two Towers to admire the adjacent arcades of the Houses Reggiani-Seracchioli. A separate paragraph deserves the arcade that climbs up to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, a succession of 666 arches for a total of 3,796 km, making it the longest in the world. It was built between 1674 and 1739 for religious reasons: it was necessary, in fact, to protect the faithful who every year attended the procession of the holy image of Madonna di San Luca up to the old town, a ceremony still celebrated today.
Finally, the building that houses our Hotel, the ancient city hall of Bologna of the XII century, boasts a very important arcade from the architectural point of view with a beautiful perfectly preserved polystyle pillar that is often admired by students and tourists. Today, the arcades of Bologna become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This confirms that our city is an authentic cradle of culture, art and architectural beauty.