Piazza Nettuno, Bologna

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One of the symbols of Bologna, the giant statue of the god Neptune, Nettuno in Italian, crowns a fountain of sculptures in the centre of Piazza del Nettuno. Completed in 1567, the fountain was commissioned by Cardinal Carlo Borromeo who assigned the project to the architect Tommaso Laureti. However, it was the sculptor Jean Boulogne (known as Giambologna or Giovanni da Bologna), famous for the sculpture of the Rape of the Sabine Women in Florence, who created the celebrated bronze statue of Nettuno to top Laureti's design. Locally referred to as il Gigante (the Giant), the god Neptune stands majestically above delightful sculptures of cherubs and nereids with four water spouts representing the major rivers of four continents.

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Resembling a defensive castle, il Palazzo Re Enzo dominates Piazza del Nettuno. It is adjacent to Palazzo del Podestà, and was in fact built in 1245 as its extension and first called Palatium Novum, i.e. "New Palace". However, shortly after its construction, Enzo of Sardinia, son of Emperor Frederick II, was captured by the Guelphs and imprisoned within the palace, so thereafter the palace became known by his name. In 1259, the tower, Torre dell'Arengo, was erected above Voltone del Podestà, a vaulted passageway between the two palaces. The tower carries the largest bell in Bologna, once used to summon the population during major events.

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Adjacent to Palazzo del Podesta on Piazza del Nettuno is Palazzo del Re Enzo, another medieval palace built in the 13th century. It is named after King Enzo, the illegitimate son of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II (he wasn't holy after all!). Papal forces held King Enzo in this palace between 1249-1272. Closed to the public, the only option available to tourists it to take pictures of the palace from the outside, which makes for a fitting background to the Fontana di Nettuno.

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Fontana di Nettuno is the centerpiece at the centro storico's (historical center) Piazza di Nettuno. Sculpted by Giambologna in 1566, it is a vivid bronze representation of one of Roman mythology's most artistically portrayed gods. Beneath the water god's feet are four cherubs representing the winds and at the base, four shapely sirens with water flowing from their breasts.

More than just a tourist attraction and an obvious subject for shutter-happy tourists, the fountain is a gathering point for many social and political events in Bologna, long considered one of Italy's most political cities (former PM Prodi hails from the city). At the time of my visit, there was a massive student protest which was well-covered by local and national media.

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The old stock exchange sat empty and unused for decades but has now been totally transformed into Sala Borsa, a new multimedia library in the centre of Bologna. The main floor of which is large transparent tiles that enable you to see archaological ruins found beneath the building (see other photo).

There are several small stores and cafe's inside and its well worth a look just to be amazed at that incredible floor. There are more than 209,000 volumes, 54,000 of which are for children and teenagers; they are placed on open shelves in subject order.

Monday 2.30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

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The beautiful centre of Bologna is formed by Piazza Maggiore, the adjoining Piazza Nettuno with its Fontana di Nettuno - Neptune's fountain - and the Piazza Porta Ravegnana, with its leaning towers rivalling Pisa.

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Piazza Nettuno is so named for the large fountain in the centre of the square with a large statue of Neptune (Nettuno in Italian). The bronze statue of the God of the Sea was completed by Laureti, while the other broze statues are all thanks to Giambologna and date from 1566. The Piazza is remarkable not just for the statue or for the imposing architecture of Palazzo di Re Enzo and the Palazzo Comunale, but also because of the throngs of people that gather here. Bologna is a student city, so you should expect to find large groups of young people wherever you go in the centre, but Piazza Nettuno is a particularly favourite spot for meeting before going out. I met my friends there when I arrived in Bologna at night and the Piazza was so busy we had to phone each other to find out exactly where the other person was. If you want to photograph the square, the surrounding buildings and the fountain, its advisable to come here in the morning, when its relatively quiet. Also, historic recreations and city fairs often take place here (the town hall is right next to the Piazza) so don't be surprised if you suddenly find yourself among people in Renaissance dress.

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Adjoining Piazza Maggiore is the smaller Piazza Nettuno. The centrepiece of the square is the Fontana del Nettuno - a fountain featuring a bronze statue of Neptune, God of the Sea. The fountain was constructed in the mid-16th century, and along with Neptune there are four cherubs, and four mermaid-looking creatures who have water spouting forth from their breasts.

On the eastern side of the square is the Palazzo del Re Enzo. It was named after King Enzo from Sicily, who was banished to the palazzo for 20 years in the 13th century. These days the palace is only open to the public when it is used for exhibitions.