Rocca di Roffeno Boutique Hotel

Nearby diversions include the medieval town of Rocca di Roffeno with its splendid forteenth century towers, Roman remains and restaurants. The town has historical links to the 10th century warrior-noblewoman Matilde di Canossa and more recent ties to Giorgio Morandi, one of Italy’s most important 20th century paintersIn the City of Bologna you must visit PIAZZA MAGGIORE/ MAGGIORE SQUARE.This is the heart of the city and the result of secular transformations which progressively enriched it with important buildings. Surrounding the square are: Basilica di San Petronio, Palazzo dei Notai, Palazzo d’Accursio, Palazzo del Podestà and the scenic façade of the Palazzo dei Banchi. See also the FONTANA DEL NETTUNO/ FOUNTAIN OF NEPTUNE. This monument of marble and bronze was built by the Flemish sculptor “Giambologna” according to a design by Tommaso Laureti in 1563. It represents the symbol of papal power suggesting that Neptune rules over the seas as the Pope dominates over the land. At the foot of the God are four cherubs which represent the Ganges, the Nile, the Amazon and the Danube – the rivers of the continents known to man at that time. The PALAZZO RE ENZO/ KING ENZO’S PALACE was originally called Palatium Novum because it was added on to the older Palazzo del Podesta, it was then renamed Palazzo Re Enzo, as it became in fact the prison of Enzo, son of the Emperor Frederic the Second, who was defeated by the people of Bologna in the Battle of the Fossalta (1249). Only part of the building can be visited. From the courtyard, you go up a staircase leading to a “loggia” or gallery from which there is a spectacular view. It is open to the public only on occasion of exhibits. The PALAZZO PODESTA/PODESTA PALACE is a fifteenth-century reconstruction of the old thirteenth-century palace. It was designed by A. Fioravanti and built from sandstone in 1483. The medieval tower reaching into the sky is the product of Master Alberto’s genius: a true masterpiece of engineering, it does not rest on the ground but on the pillars of the arched Podesta vault. It is open to the public only on occasion of exhibits.The PALAZZO DEI BANCHI/ BANCHI PALACE was the last building constructed in the square It was designed as a scenic façade to screen the view of the narrow streets of the market beyond. Designed by Vignola, it dates back to the second half of the XVI century. Its façade is composed of fifteen arches, two of which permit access to the Clavature and Pescherie streets. Only the exterior is visible.