Palazzo d'Accursio (City Hall)
Palazzo d'Accursio (City Hall) is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Bologna audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~45 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~45 min
- Bologna Bologna guide
About Palazzo d'Accursio (City Hall)
Bologna's medieval city hall, continuously serving as the seat of local government since 1336, containing a collection of civic art and the beautiful Sala Rossa.
The Palazzo d'Accursio, also known as the Palazzo Comunale, has served as the seat of Bologna's city government since the 13th century, making it one of the oldest continuously functioning civic buildings in Europe. Named after Accursius (Accursio), the great 13th-century legal scholar who codified Roman law, the palace occupies the entire western flank of Piazza Maggiore. The building is a palimpsest of architectural history: Gothic foundations, Renaissance additions, Baroque interiors, and neoclassical modifications. The interior contains a rich collection of civic art including works by Giorgio Morandi, the great Bolognese 20th-century painter. The highlight is the Sala Rossa, the Red Room, where the city council still meets, its walls covered in crimson silk and decorated with portraits of important Bolognesi. The Clock Tower above the piazza façade dates from the 15th century. Visitors can access the Collezioni Comunali d'Arte, the Communal Art Collections, contained within the palace.
Did you know? The Palazzo d'Accursio has been Bologna's city hall continuously since the 13th century, making it one of the oldest continuously functioning civic buildings in the world.
How long should you spend at Palazzo d'Accursio (City Hall)?
Plan about ~45 min at Palazzo d'Accursio (City Hall). That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Palazzo d'Accursio (City Hall) worth visiting?
Palazzo d'Accursio (City Hall) is one of the 22 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Bologna, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Bologna
Hear the story of Palazzo d'Accursio (City Hall)
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