The city's largest square, known as the Bologna Salon, is the main meeting place and the centre of the city's civic and religious life.
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In the centre of the square stands the grand Palazzo di Re Enzo, which houses the Bologna Welcome information and tourist centre. The square is lined with impressive buildings: the Palazzo dei Banchi, the Palazzo dei Notai, the Palazzo d'Accursio and the Palazzo del Podestà.
A cordless phone and a student legend
In the passage of the Voltone del Podestà, standing next to the Palazzo Re Enzo, there is a "cordless telephone" that you absolutely must try: it is a strange acoustic effect that allows you to listen to what is being said in the opposite corner. There are also 4 statues of the city's patrons: St. Petronio, St. Francis, St. Dominic and St. Procolus.
There is still a legend among university students that those who walk through the middle of the square can say goodbye to their graduation - students have to walk along the square.
Accommodation in the square
Piazza Maggiore is the centrepiece of all of Bologna, and if you want to stay in the heart of the action when you travel and don't care so much about price, you couldn't have picked a better place.
There are two very well rated smaller boutique hotels in the piazza:
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Bologna.
