Strada Maggiore
Bologna, Emilia-Romagna
Part of an ancient Roman road, the historic Strada Maggiore links Bologna’s eastern city gate to its medieval Two Towers. The street is lined on both sides with the city’s signature porticoes—covered walkways that shield people from the elements while guiding them to antique shops, restaurants, and other attractions. Don’t miss Casa Isolani and its oak portico from the 1200s, among Europe’s oldest.
The basics
Strada Maggiore is home to one of the dozen porticoes of Bologna, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it’s worth walking the half-mile (0.8-kilometer) stretch a few times to enjoy architecture unique to the city. The porticoes have long been revered as a meeting point for the exchange of ideas, and that spirit lives on: Strada Maggiore’s varied offerings include picturesque palazzi, centuries-old churches, and plenty of cafés for a chat over espresso.
Walking tours take you down Strada Maggiore en route to other attractions, from Bologna’s famed food markets to its bustling Piazza Maggiore. Go with a group, a private guide, or on your own with an audio tour.
Things to know before you go
- When you reach Casa Isolani, don’t just admire its old wood beams—look up at the bottom of the third floor, where three mysterious stuck arrows have inspired many city legends.
- There’s a public restroom just off Strada Maggiore in Piazza Aldrovandi.
- Unlike the city’s many cobblestone streets, Strada Maggiore’s porticoed walkways are smooth and easy to navigate with strollers and wheelchairs.
How to get there
If you’re coming from the Bologna Centrale train station, it takes around 30 minutes to reach Strada Maggiore on foot—or 10 minutes if you take the bus and get off in Piazza Maggiore. From there, the street is a 5-minute stroll away. If you’re driving, park on the east side of the city near Porta Maggiore, where you’ll find a few garages outside of the old city walls.
When to get there
Visit Bologna and stroll down Strada Maggiore in April–May or September–October, when temperatures are mild and tourist crowds are minimal. Early fall is when the city holds a variety of festivals, including celebrations for its patron saint, Saint Petronius, and the region’s famous tortellini. Many businesses and attractions on Strada Maggiore close on Sundays or Mondays, so check their hours ahead of time.
Points of interest on Strada Maggiore
Besides stopping by Casa Isolani, be sure to visit the Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi, a 14th-century Gothic church where you’ll find a Madonna masterpiece by Cimabue and, during the holidays, one of Bologna’s best Christmas markets. Music lovers should stop by the International Museum and Library of Music, which has magnificently frescoed exhibition rooms, composer Gioachino Rossini’s grand piano, and other unique instruments from hundreds of years ago.
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