Piazza Nettuno, Bologna

  Bologna 2011
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  • Bologna 2011
      Bologna 2011
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  • Inside the library
      Inside the library
    by darkjedi
  • views over the city centre and main piazzas
      views over the city centre and main...
    by angiebabe
  •   Piazza Nettuno
    by angiebabe
  • Piazza Nettuno at Christmas
      Piazza Nettuno at Christmas
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44 Reviews of Piazza Nettuno

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Piazza Nettuno & Fontana del Nettuno
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sue_stone 2318 reviews
Fontana del Nettuno
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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.

Written Nov 15, 2006

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Fontana di Nettuno
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Tijavi 757 reviews
Carved by Giambologna in 1566
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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.

Updated Dec 21, 2008

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Admire the fine trident in the guy's hand!
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alza 330 reviews
Officer, this guy is bothering me!

Piazza Nettuno is the place to hang out. Sit on the steps of what I think is the Municipal Library (wonderful! go inside! see that scary floor!) -- and talk with everyone. Quite an upbeat crowd, no poseurs here, a sort of May 68 atmosphere with a Gothic touch.

Updated Feb 20, 2005

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Piazza Neptuno
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Mundus 110 reviews
Neptune's Statue

A popular meeting point for Bolognesi, specially for students.

In order to make room for this statue and to the square bearing the same name, in 1564 a whole block of houses was pulled down, between d'Accursio Palace and King Enzo Palace.

The statue was designed by Tommaso Laureti, from Palermo. It is adorned the with sculptures by the Flemish artist Jean Boulogne de Douai, called Giambologna.

Written Sep 22, 2003

Address: Near Piazza Maggiore

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Fountain of Neptune
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Azhut 1076 reviews

The fountain of Neptune is situated in square Neptune, in the centre of Bologna near Major square. It was built by Flemish sculptor Jean Boulogne, know as Giambologna, and fused in bronze in the 1563.
The original drawing was work of painter Tommaso Laureti and represent the God of the sea surrounded by little monsters, cupids, shells and sirens. In the 1565 a decree established the demolition of a entire block to make place at the work which today represent one of the meeting place more frequented and important. In the 1603 were put up around it a fence of iron and four tub of marble and one of this that was removed with the others in the 1888, it’s been restore of recent.

Written Apr 10, 2004

Address: Piazza Maggiore

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Piazza Maggiore
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iandsmith 5083 reviews
Powerful Neptune

It's odd. Great works of art somehow look like great works of art. Well, usually, anyway.
So it is that the Fontana di Nettuno, the famous Neptune fountain from the 16th century (1566 to be precise) was designed by Tommaso Laurent though it's Giambologna's magnificent bronze figures that catch the eye.
There's a certain power about Neptune that dominates the via dell'Indipendenza as it runs into Piazza Maggiore, one of the main focal points of Bologna.

Written May 28, 2004

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Palazzo del Re Enzo
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Tijavi 757 reviews
Piazza del Nettuno
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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.

Updated Dec 27, 2008

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Palazzo del Nettuno
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croisbeauty 6484 reviews
Palazzo del Nettuno
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The Palace was officially opened in 1564. it is located between Palazzo Comunale and Palazzo Re Enzo and connected to Piazza Maggiore. Right in front of it, in the square's centre, stands Fontana del Nettuno, one of the most famous works of Art of Bologna

Updated Jun 14, 2006

Address: Piazza del Nettuno

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Neptune's Fountain
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Willettsworld 8151 reviews

Sitting in the middle of Piazza Nettuno is the famous Neptune fountain. The statue in the middle of the fountain is commonly known in Bologna as the ”Giant“ and it represents Neptune appeasing the rage of the sea. The fountain was designed in 1566 by Tommaso Laureti and is decorated with magnificent bronze figures of dolphins and mermaids by Giambologna.

Written Aug 24, 2005

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Palazzo Re Enzo & la Torre dell'Arengo
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MM212 3482 reviews
Palazzo Re Enzo e Torre dell'Arengo
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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.

Updated Jun 29, 2009

Address: Piazza del Nettuno

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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... 

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