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Piazza Nettuno, Bologna
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Piazza Nettuno, Bologna

Piazza Nettuno tips and photos posted by real travelers and Bologna locals.
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Piazza Nettuno: Piazza del Nettuno
MM212
  • Updated By MM212 on August 2, 2009
  • Bologna Page by MM212
  • Nettuno - Bologna
    Nettuno
    by MM212, 4 more photos
    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.

  • Address: Piazza del Nettuno
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    Piazza Nettuno: Palazzo Re Enzo & la Torre dell'Arengo
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  • MM212
  • Updated By MM212 on June 29, 2009
  • Bologna Page by MM212
  • Palazzo Re Enzo e Torre dell'Arengo - Bologna
    Palazzo Re Enzo e Torre
    dell'Arengo
    by MM212, 2 more photos
    Resembling a defensive castle, il Palazzo Re Enzo dominates Piazza del Nettuno. It is adjacent to Palazzo del Podestā, 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 Podestā, a vaulted passageway between the two palaces. The tower carries the largest bell in Bologna, once used to summon the population during major events.

  • Address: Piazza del Nettuno
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    Piazza Nettuno: Palazzo del Re Enzo
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  • Tijavi
  • Updated By Tijavi on December 27, 2008
  • Bologna Page by Tijavi
  • Piazza del Nettuno - Bologna
    Piazza del Nettuno
    by Tijavi, 1 more photos
    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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  • Directions: Piazza del Nettuno
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    Piazza Nettuno: Fontana di Nettuno
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  • Tijavi
  • Updated By Tijavi on December 21, 2008
  • Bologna Page by Tijavi
  • Carved by Giambologna in 1566 - Bologna
    Carved by Giambologna in
    1566
    by Tijavi,
    4 more photos
    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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    Piazza Nettuno: naked Neptune's Fountain
    angiebabe
  • By angiebabe on December 9, 2008
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    Piazza Nettuno: Neptune's Fountain
    angiebabe
  • By angiebabe on December 9, 2008
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    Piazza Nettuno: Sala Borsa Library
    darkjedi
  • By darkjedi on November 1, 2008
  • Bologna Page by darkjedi
  • Inside the library - Bologna
    Inside the library
    by darkjedi, 2 more photos
    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.

  • Address: Piazza Nettuno, 3
  • Phone: 0512194400
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    Piazza Nettuno: Piazza Nettuno with its Neptune's Fountain
    angiebabe
  • Updated By angiebabe on September 20, 2008
  • Bologna Page by angiebabe
  • Piazza Nettuno at Christmas - Bologna
    Piazza Nettuno at Christmas
    by angiebabe, 4 more photos
    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: Beautiful
    angiebabe
  • By angiebabe on September 20, 2008
  • Bologna Page by angiebabe
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    Piazza Nettuno: Follow the Crowds to the God of the Sea
    mikey_e
  • By mikey_e on August 27, 2007
  • Bologna Page by mikey_e
  • Fontana di Nettuno in Piazza Nettuno - Bologna
    Fontana di Nettuno in
    Piazza Nettuno
    by mikey_e,
    3 more photos
    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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  • Address: Piazza Nettuno
  • Directions: At the southern end of Via Indipendenza near Piazza Maggiore
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