Piazza Maggiore, 115m in length and 60m in width, is the heart of the city of Bologna. It dates to 1200 when the Commune began to buy houses and land to build a square that would properly represent the importance of the self-governing town and bring together all the civic activities (exchanges, commerce and various services).
The square has undergone numerous interventions over the centuries with the addition of historic buildings, including the Basilica of San Petronio with a central door by Jacopo della Quercia, whose construction, never completed, began in 1390; it houses the 17th century geographer Gian Domenico Cassini’s long meridian and chapels including the Bolognini Chapel with 15th century frescoes by Giovanni da Modena. Lining the square are the Palazzo dei Notai, Palazzo del Podestà, Palazzo dei Banchi and Palazzo d’Accursio which houses the present-day Town Hall, the Collezioni Comunali d'Arte and the Morandi Museum.
Emilia-Romagna Film Commission
Viale Aldo Moro 38 — 40127 Bologna
Phone: +39 051 5278753
Email: filmcom@regione.emilia-romagna.it
