{"id":3660,"date":"2026-02-24T10:44:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T09:44:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingbologna.it\/ten-unusual-things-to-look-for-in-bologna\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T10:54:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T09:54:07","slug":"unusual-things-to-see-in-bologna-hidden-spots","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingbologna.it\/en\/unusual-things-to-see-in-bologna-hidden-spots\/","title":{"rendered":"Ten unusual things to look for in Bologna"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Hidden Bologna<\/h5>\r\n

Here is a ranking of ten unusual things to look for in Bologna, perfect for anyone who wants to discover something less obvious.<\/h2>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\r\n
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\"Hidden \"Palazzo \"Laura<\/div>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n
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The Piella Canal & Casa Isolani<\/h2>\r\n

10. The Via Piella canal<\/span>

\r\nMany people don\u2019t know that Bologna was once a city of water, crossed by numerous canals.<\/span>

\r\nOne 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.<\/span>

\r\nIt\u2019s an unexpected view that always surprises visitors discovering it for the first time.<\/span>

\r\n9. The three arrows in Strada Maggiore<\/span>

\r\nUnder the portico of Casa Isolani, along Strada Maggiore, you can find three arrows embedded in the wooden ceiling.<\/span>

\r\nAccording 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.<\/span>

\r\nThey\u2019re not easy to spot: you need to look up carefully and search with attention.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\r\n

\"Bologna-Casa \"10<\/div>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n
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The whispering game<\/h2>\r\n

8. The Podest\u00e0 Vault and the whispering game<\/span><\/span>

\r\nBeneath the Podest\u00e0 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.<\/span>

\r\nIt\u2019s a small experiment that\u2019s always fun \u2014 and one that few people know about before trying it. <\/p>\r\n

7. The Cantone dei Fiori<\/span><\/span>

\r\nAt the beginning of Via Indipendenza you\u2019ll find the so-called Cantone dei Fiori, a distinctive corner where curious writings and small details have appeared over the years.<\/span>

\r\nOne of the funniest \u2014 often making people smile \u2014 is the phrase \u201cCannabis Protection.\u201d<\/span>

\r\nIt\u2019s one of those small details that reveals the city\u2019s more ironic and popular side.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\r\n

\"Voltone\" \"\"<\/div>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n
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If<\/span> you\u2019d like to discover these hidden details without missing the stories behind them, joining a guided tour can make all the difference. Walking through Bologna with a local guide means learning how to notice the small signs, legends and curiosities that most visitors pass by \u2014 from secret canals to unusual symbols and surprising places. It\u2019s a slower, more meaningful way to experience the city and see Bologna beyond the classic highlights.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Book a tour<\/a><\/div>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n

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The mysterious symbol of Santo Stefano & the first Maserati workshop<\/h2>\r\n

6. The mysterious symbol of Santo Stefano <\/span>

\r\nThe Santo Stefano complex is already one of Bologna\u2019s most fascinating places, but few people notice a small detail on the fa\u00e7ade: a carved animal linked to ancient stories and symbolism.<\/span>

\r\nAccording 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 \u2014 including that of the Holy Sepulchre.<\/span>

\r\n5. The first Maserati workshop<\/span>

\r\nOn Via Pepoli you can find the place where the Maserati brothers opened their first workshop.<\/span>

\r\nIt\u2019s a detail many visitors overlook, yet it tells an important part of Italian automotive history.<\/span>

\r\nFor car enthusiasts it\u2019s a symbolic stop \u2014 but an interesting one for everyone.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\r\n

\"Santo \"curiosit\u00e0<\/div>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n
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The mummy of Saint Catherine<\/h2>\r\n

4. The exam taken by Mozart<\/span>

\r\nAt the International Museum of Music, the exam paper that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completed in Bologna to be admitted to the Accademia Filarmonica is preserved.<\/span>

\r\nThe idea that one of the greatest composers in history took an exam right here is a detail that surprises many visitors.<\/span>

\r\n3. The mummy of Saint Catherine<\/span>

\r\nInside the Sanctuary of Corpus Domini you can find the mummified body of Saint Catherine de\u2019 Vigri, displayed seated on a throne.<\/span>

\r\nIt\u2019s a presence that strongly impacts first-time visitors and tells an intense story of spirituality and devotion.<\/span>\ufeff<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\r\n

\"Music \"Santa<\/div>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n
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The childbirth machine at Palazzo Poggi<\/h2>\r\n

2. The vase on the Asinelli Tower<\/span>

\r\nIf you look closely at the Asinelli Tower, you may notice a small vase embedded in the masonry.<\/span>

\r\nHere 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.<\/span>

\r\nIt\u2019s a tiny detail \u2014 but a curious one to search for.
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1. The childbirth machine at Palazzo Poggi<\/span>

\r\nOne 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.<\/span>

\r\nIt\u2019s an impressive instrument, but it tells an important chapter in the history of medicine and of the University of Bologna.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\r\n

\"\" \"Palazzo<\/div>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hidden Bologna Here is a ranking of ten unusual things to look for in Bologna, perfect for anyone who wants to discover something less obvious. The Piella Canal & Casa Isolani 10. The Via Piella canal Many people don\u2019t know that Bologna was once a city of water, crossed by numerous canals. One of the…
Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"pro\/page-templates\/full-width-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-3660","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nTen unusual things to look for in Bologna | Visiting Bologna<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover 10 unusual things to see in Bologna that many tourists overlook \u2014 curious details, legends, and surprising stories\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingbologna.it\/en\/unusual-things-to-see-in-bologna-hidden-spots\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ten unusual things to 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