Piazza Maggiore

Religious & Spiritual Activities

The arcade that connects Porta Saragozza to the Sanctuary of San Luca is the longest in the world. Within its 3.5 kilometers there are 666 arches, each marked by a number: the first 306 connect Porta Saragozza to Meloncello Arch, while the last 360 are located in the hilly area from Meloncello to Colle della Guardia. These are spaced out by 15 chapels illustrating the mystery of the rosary. The tour starts from Piazza Maggiore with a little train ride to Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca. Begin the guided tour with the Sanctuary of San Luca and its panoramic forecourt with an optional visit to the Dome of the Sanctuary to admire the panorama of the city. Enjoy the descent with a little train ride along the arcade that leads to Meloncello's Arch and then along via Saragozza. Passing through Porta Saragozza, arrive at the Collegio di Spagna and de'Carbonesi, continuing via Massimo d'Azeglio you’ll return to Piazza Maggiore.

Enjoy a Private Tour of Parma and Bologna from Milan for twelve hours with a private tour guide for two hours in each city and a private luxury vehicle with a chauffeur that will pick you up and drop you off from your hotel in Milan. Once your private chauffeur has picked you up, besides your private tour guide you will go ahead to your first destination. You will discover Parma, a city in the north of Italy that has remarkable medieval architecture and beautiful forests surrounding it. Your private tour guide will show you the tourist attractions of the city such as the cathedral with Romanesque style, the opera house Teatro, the Baptistery with Romanesque and Gothic styles and much more. When you finish visiting Parma you will go ahead to your destination, Bologna which is one of the best-preserved historic cities and has one of the largest medieval old towns in Europe. You will visit as well the tourist attractions of Bologna such as the two medieval famous towers, the Piazza Maggiore, the Basilica of San Petronio known for being one of the largest churches in existence, the basilica of San Francisco known for being a Gothic church and much more. After visiting the two cities, your private chauffeur will drop you off at your hotel in Milan or your place of preference inside the city.

The Basilica of San Petronio is the largest church in Bologna. It dominates the Piazza Maggiore and, despite being largely unfinished, it is one of the most extensive churches in Europe. Its imposing dimensions (132 meters long and 60 in width, with a height of 44.27 meters) makes it the fourth-largest church of Italy. In the Basilica of San Petronio, it is impossible not to know what time it is. In place of a clock though, the structure houses the longest sundial in the world. It measures 67 meters and crosses the floor of the church since 1657. It was Domenico Cassini who made it; a professor of astronomy, who believed that the motion of the planets depended on the sun.  With this guided tour, discover the beauty and history of this church. Afterwards, take the elevator to the magical panoramic terrace and relish in city views as far as you can see.

Explore the monuments and charming corners of the medieval town of Bologna on this full-day tour from Milan. See sights like the Basilica of San Petronio, the Fountain of Neptune, and the first University of Bologna on a guided tour. Have some free time where you can try some local cuisine. Be picked up from your destination in Milan and travel aboard a car for groups of up to 3, a van for groups up to 6, and a bus for groups of up to 19. Relax on the scenic drive to Bologna. Meet your guide and begin your tour. Visit Piazza Maggiore square at the historical and geographical center of Bologna. Take in its medieval style and see the the Basilica of San Petronio which was built in1390 and where the coronation of Charles V took place. View the Fountain of Neptune which was created in 1563 by Tommaso Lauretti. Discover the first University of Bologna, which is considered the oldest university in the world that is still functioning. It is believed to have been founded in 1088 by Irnerius. It attracts many students from Italy and all over the world which lends a vibrancy to the city. Go by the Quadrilateral market, the Asinelli and Garisenda towers, the Archiginnasio Palace, and the Romanesque architecture of the Basilica di San Domenico. Spend some free time exploring the city at your own pace and have the chance to purchase some delicious local cuisine. Return to your meeting point in Milan at the end of your tour.