The Arcades of Bologna

The arcades of Bologna

The arcades of Bologna, these kilometres of porticoes, are the architectural emblem of the town and a treasure listed by UNESCO. The Bologna audio-guided tour stops here to evoke these covered galleries unique in the world, which have sheltered the life of the town since the Middle Ages.

The kilometres of porticoes listed by UNESCO

The arcades, or porticoes, are the most characteristic and identity element of Bologna. The town has dozens of kilometres of them, which line its streets and allow you to move sheltered from the sun and the rain. Appeared in the Middle Ages, these porticoes were born from a practical need: to gain space, the inhabitants enlarged their houses projecting over the street, supported by pillars, creating covered galleries. The town then made it a rule of town planning. There you find arcades of all eras, in wood, in stone or in brick, low or monumental. The most famous is the immense portico that climbs to the Sanctuary of San Luca, on the hill, one of the longest of the world. In 2021, the arcades of Bologna were listed as UNESCO world heritage. They are the soul and the daily setting of the town.

What to see

Here you wander under the dozens of kilometres of characteristic porticoes of Bologna, of all eras, in wood, stone or brick, born in the Middle Ages from the need to enlarge the houses, including the immense portico climbing to the Sanctuary of San Luca, one of the longest of the world, listed by UNESCO in 2021. The arcades are the soul of Bologna. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The arcades line the streets of the whole historic centre of Bologna, reachable on foot. They are freely accessible public spaces, which shelter from the sun and the rain. You walk along them throughout the promenade in the town, in any season.

Why are the arcades of Bologna listed by UNESCO?

Because they form an ensemble unique in the world, dozens of kilometres of porticoes of all eras characteristic of the town, including the very long portico of San Luca; they were listed as UNESCO world heritage in 2021.

Where to see the arcades of Bologna?

In the whole historic centre of Bologna, in Italy.