Photos: karel291, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 Liridon, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Roberto Gianardi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo credits
Photos: karel291, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 Liridon, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Roberto Gianardi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Under sixty kilometres of arches
Your local guide
Giulia Ferrari
View profile
Highlights
- Sixty kilometres of covered arches
- Stone columns turning to plain brick
- A faded fresco still visible
- A medieval law made visible
- From busy square to quiet street
About this tour
This session follows Bologna's covered porticoes from the busy stretch near Piazza Maggiore out to a quieter residential street. You see the columns change from carved stone to plain brick as the walk continues, and a faded fresco still clinging to one vault. The whole route stays under cover, which is exactly the point of the porticoes in the first place.
We move at a steady pace rather than lingering too long in any one spot, since the interest here is in the variety across the full network. I explain the building law that first required the porticoes as we walk, and answer questions on specific stretches as they come up.
It suits anyone who wants to understand why Bologna looks the way it does rather than just see its main square. It also works as a longer session for viewers with time for a proper walk.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 7 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Bologna before heading out.
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Porticoes near Piazza Maggiore 21 min
The camera moves under the covered walkway closest to the main square, and I explain how the stone columns here are carved with more detail than the plainer brick further out.
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Via Zamboni stretch 21 min
Further along, near the university, the porticoes grow taller and the paintwork under the vaults gets patchier, and I show a section where the original fresco is still just visible.
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Quiet residential arcade 21 min
In a quieter street away from the centre, you see how ordinary the porticoes become once you leave the tourist route, still covering doorways exactly as the law once required.
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Your questions 14 min
Time to ask anything about Bologna: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 6 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Mortadella and Quadrilatero, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Rome time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 8 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Bologna, showing you Porticoes near Piazza Maggiore and Via Zamboni stretch live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk Bologna live with my phone.
Times shown in Rome time (CET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Thu 29 Oct · 8 seats left From 28,00 €
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