If you’re looking for experiences beyond traditional tourist routes, this Guide to Unusual Attractions in Bologna unveils hidden gems and unique itineraries to discover the city from a different perspective. Ready to explore something new in Bologna?

If you’ve already done the essential Bologna tour and are eager to discover more, here are some spots completely off the beaten path: alternative and unconventional routes to explore.

While most people flock to the same four streets in the city center, Bologna is also beautiful because it can be explored more deeply on foot, beyond the usual route through Via Indipendenza, Ugo Bassi, and Rizzoli. The city is full of unusual places to visit, each of which is significant and has contributed to shaping the Bologna we know today.

All images of the unusual attractions in Bologna were taken by Mirko Negroni Photography for Lety Goes On.

Palazzo Poggi Museum

For lovers of curiosities and the bizarre, Palazzo Poggi Museum is a must-visit. Located in the building that once housed the ancient Institute of Sciences and Arts, the museum features an extensive exhibition covering various scientific and artistic fields of knowledge. The exhibit is divided into rooms dedicated to different disciplines, from natural history to physics, chemistry, nautical sciences, and military architecture. JW von Archenholtz described the museum as “a sort of encyclopedia for the senses.”

At Palazzo Poggi, you can’t miss the natural history section, which houses the collection of Ulisse Aldrovandi. A native of Bologna, Aldrovandi is considered the father of modern natural history and was the first to attempt to catalog animals, minerals, and plants. Like many scientists of his time, who greatly contributed to modern knowledge, he was condemned for heresy.

Where: Via Zamboni, 33

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Closed on Mondays, January 1st, May 1st, August 15th, December 24th, and 25th.

Admission Fees:

• Full Ticket: €5
• Reduced Ticket: €3 

Palazzo Hercolani

This imposing palace, built at the end of the 18th century and now home to the Faculty of Political Science, opens with a view of the grandiose staircase. The first floor is decorated with harmonious and significant sculptures of Greek deities and myths: Mars, Hera, Venus, Hercules, as well as allegorical figures like the beautiful veiled statue representing modesty or the statue of abundance.

On the ground floor, you’ll find a very unique space: the winter garden, the most innovative example in the city of “country rooms” or “woodland rooms,” which became popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in the noble palaces of Napoleonic Bologna. These rooms feature walls painted to create an illusion of green spaces, natural environments, and light architecture.

Where: Strada Maggiore, 45
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Admission: Free

The Doll Museum

Located in the attic of a historic building on Via Riva Reno, the Doll Museum is a hidden gem. Inside, you’ll find a collection of over 500 dolls from various periods, along with other antique accessories. A delightful treasure often overlooked by many.

Where: Via Riva Reno, 79

Church of the Smile

In the guide to Unusual Attractions in Bologna, I must mention the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena. This 250-year-old church is located just one kilometer from Piazza Maggiore. The glass door that leads inside opens in front of a smile, a very particular detail from which the church gets its nickname. Inside, there are several notable works of art, including a smiling crucifix – a peculiar creation by a contemporary artist.

The church features a single nave with three spans. As you enter, the 17th-century painting by Francesco Cavazzoni, depicting the conversion of Mary Magdalene, immediately captures your attention. One of the highlights is the polychrome terracotta Deposition by Giuseppe Mazza, dating back to the 1600s. Many people, including Bolognese residents, are unaware of this masterpiece, although it certainly rivals the more famous Deposition housed in the Church of Santa Maria della Vita.

Where: Via Zamboni, 47
Opening Hours: Winter hours: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Admission: Free donation

Santa Maria della Vita’s Church

Located just 150 meters from Piazza Maggiore, the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Vita is also used for photography exhibitions. Built nearly 350 years ago, it features a grand facade with a large portico, flanked by two statues between square columns, and a stunning dome that rises toward the sky. Inside, the famous Deposition is a must-see masterpiece composed of five sculptures surrounding the dying Christ. The exceptional expressiveness of the figures, their poses, and the portrayal of their faces convey an intense moment of grief. The church also boasts frescoed walls and ceilings, as well as sculptures and decorations.

Where: Via Clavature, 8/10
Opening Hours: Sanctuary: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Closed on Mondays.
Deposition: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM. Closed on Mondays (last entry at 6:15 PM).
Museum of Health and Assistance: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Closed on Mondays.

Admission Fees:

• Full Ticket: €5
  Reduced Ticket: €3

The Botanical Garden of Bologna

The Botanical Garden of Bologna is a peaceful and enchanting place. It was established by Ulisse Aldrovandi to teach medical students how to recognize and use medicinal plants. With approximately 1,800 different plant species, four greenhouses, and areas dedicated to carnivorous plants and succulents, it’s a place you can’t miss.

There’s even a rocky garden, and it’s one of the most enjoyable free attractions in Bologna. Once you’re surrounded by nature, find a bench, grab a book, and forget you’re in the heart of a bustling city!

Where: Via Irnerio, 42
Opening Hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (October to March), 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (April to September)

Admission: Free

Zoological Museum of Bologna

If you love curiosities, the Zoological Museum is a must-see. After exploring the human body at Palazzo Poggi, head to the Zoological Museum to discover the animal world. Its original collection, based on Aldrovandi’s specimens, has grown to include hundreds of stuffed animal remains and jars containing various species preserved in formaldehyde, now faded by time and light.

Where: Via Selmi, 3
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Closed on Mondays.

Admission: Free

Santa Caterina’s Church: Corpus Domini

Corpus Domini is one of the most beloved sanctuaries in Bologna, also known as the Church of the Saint, as it houses the mummified body of Saint Catherine of Bologna, the founder of the first Clarissian convent in the city. At first glance, the church seems like many others in Bologna, but walking through the aisles, you’ll arrive at the chapel where the saint’s body, preserved for 500 years, sits on a golden throne. The sight is both eerie and fascinating and definitely earns a spot on this list.

Where: Via Tagliapietre, 21
Opening Hours:
Chapel: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Church: Daily 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

Admission: Free

Bologna Street Art

Bologna is also one of Italy’s top destinations for street art enthusiasts. With hundreds of works, the city has seen some major street artists leave their mark, including Alicè, Ericailcane, and Blu, arguably the most famous Italian street artist.

However, the street art scene in Bologna is ever-changing. Unlike cities in England, where street art is widely accepted and supported, in Bologna, street art still maintains a rebellious edge and constantly renews itself while remaining deeply rooted in the urban environment.

The two main street art hotspots are Bolognina, the former working-class district north of the train station, and the university area. In Bolognina, two large walls were painted by Blu over a decade ago, when he was still a student in Bologna. However, much of his work was destroyed in protest against the city’s decision to move his pieces to a paid museum exhibition.

Even though Blu’s work is gone, Bologna’s street art scene remains vibrant, reflecting the city’s political atmosphere and its openness to new ideas. Don’t miss Via del Pratello, which has become an open-air gallery in recent years.

If you’re keen to discover every piece of street art, you can pick up a free map at Bologna’s tourist office. Hunting for these artworks can be one of the most fun things to do in the city!

I hope this post has been helpful to you! If you have any questions or if there’s a favorite spot in Bologna that’s not on my list, feel free to drop a comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

 Go on traveling!

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