Ten unusual things to look for in Bologna

The Piella Canal & Casa Isolani

10. The Via Piella canal

Many people don’t know that Bologna was once a city of water, crossed by numerous canals.

One of the most charming spots to see them is the small window on Via Piella, which opens onto a stretch of the Canale delle Moline.

It’s an unexpected view that always surprises visitors discovering it for the first time.

9. The three arrows in Strada Maggiore

Under the portico of Casa Isolani, along Strada Maggiore, you can find three arrows embedded in the wooden ceiling.

According to legend, they were shot by a group of assassins who, distracted by the beauty of a woman leaning out of a window, missed their target.

They’re not easy to spot: you need to look up carefully and search with attention.

The whispering game

8. The Podestà Vault and the whispering game

Beneath the Podestà Vault, near Piazza Maggiore, there is a curious acoustic effect: if you stand in opposite corners and speak softly toward the wall, you can hear each other perfectly even from a distance.

It’s a small experiment that’s always fun — and one that few people know about before trying it. 

7. The Cantone dei Fiori

At the beginning of Via Indipendenza you’ll find the so-called Cantone dei Fiori, a distinctive corner where curious writings and small details have appeared over the years.

One of the funniest — often making people smile — is the phrase “Cannabis Protection.”

It’s one of those small details that reveals the city’s more ironic and popular side.

The mysterious symbol of Santo Stefano & the first Maserati workshop

6. The mysterious symbol of Santo Stefano 

The Santo Stefano complex is already one of Bologna’s most fascinating places, but few people notice a small detail on the façade: a carved animal linked to ancient stories and symbolism.

According to some interpretations, these signs may have served as references for groups or confraternities, adding an aura of mystery to a place already rich in history — including that of the Holy Sepulchre.

5. The first Maserati workshop

On Via Pepoli you can find the place where the Maserati brothers opened their first workshop.

It’s a detail many visitors overlook, yet it tells an important part of Italian automotive history.

For car enthusiasts it’s a symbolic stop — but an interesting one for everyone.

The mummy of Saint Catherine

4. The exam taken by Mozart

At the International Museum of Music, the exam paper that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completed in Bologna to be admitted to the Accademia Filarmonica is preserved.

The idea that one of the greatest composers in history took an exam right here is a detail that surprises many visitors.

3. The mummy of Saint Catherine

Inside the Sanctuary of Corpus Domini you can find the mummified body of Saint Catherine de’ Vigri, displayed seated on a throne.

It’s a presence that strongly impacts first-time visitors and tells an intense story of spirituality and devotion.

The childbirth machine at Palazzo Poggi

2. The vase on the Asinelli Tower

If you look closely at the Asinelli Tower, you may notice a small vase embedded in the masonry.

Here too legends abound: according to some versions, it was left by a builder to mark the end of the works or as a sign of good luck.

It’s a tiny detail — but a curious one to search for.

1. The childbirth machine at Palazzo Poggi

One of the most surprising curiosities can be found inside Palazzo Poggi: the obstetric machine built by Antonio Galli, used in the 18th century to teach doctors childbirth techniques.

It’s an impressive instrument, but it tells an important chapter in the history of medicine and of the University of Bologna.