In the shade of the porticoes - 7th section: University and Academy

Continue your exploration of Bologna's 12 UNESCO Porticoes here, culminating in one of the city's most significant and vibrant sections that includes the University and Academy.

It's now time to enjoy the dynamic university life of Via Zamboni, the beating heart of Bolognese culture and seventh section of the UNESCO Porticoes of Bologna

Intrinsically linked to the history of the University of Bologna (the Western world’s oldest university, founded in 1088), this stretch of the portico has offered shelter to students dating back to the 13th century, welcoming them under its arches as they move between classrooms and university buildings. Among the prominent academic structures that surround it are Palazzo Poggi, the Academy of Fine Arts and the National Art Gallery. Even today, thousands of students and teachers walk through these arches, carrying on an age-old academic tradition: every step on these stone slabs carries with it the echo of the discussions and ideas of those who contributed to the growth of this institution.

Strolling under these arches allows you to savour the wealth of unique architecture, the result of the consecutive historical eras: stone and brick columns, with varying heights and widths, confer an alternating intimate and open character, as well as a visual rhythm that manifests the portico’s historical evolution. These variations give the portico a visual rhythm that captures your attention and illustrates a history of continuous transformations and adaptations.

The area is a lively hub of university life, full of bookstores, cafés and meeting places where you can savour the surrounding culture. In the evening, under the arches in front of the Municipal Theatre, groups of young people gather in the famous Piazza Verdi creating a lively atmosphere that combines academic tradition with the cultural life of the city. Warning: everyone must be seated on the ground!

Still on the topic of universities and the lively youngsters who throng these streets, the goliardi - the members of university student associations - definitely deserve a mention. Not everyone knows that a symbol of the Bolognese Goliardia tradition can be found here: the fittone, a stone bollard that has become an icon of Bolognese student life and an emblem of the irreverent spirit of university students. To learn more about its history and role in Bologna's Goliardic culture, have a read of this article: “The most goliardic university in the world?”. 

"In the shade of the porticoes" is the column that explores the twelve Porticoes of Bologna, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021. In addition to offering insights into their history and architecture, the column also tells of the daily life of those who work, travel and live under those porticoes every day.