Bologna, the “Learned”, the “Fat”, and the “Red”. As many definitions as there are souls in this city that conquers the hearts, and palates, of the many visitors it welcomes each year.
Are you ready to discover the secrets and curiosities of this fascinating corner of Italy? As you stroll under its famous porticoes, the longest in the world, have you ever wondered what the most curious stories are about Bologna? Today we are here to tell you some, between truth and ancient local legends.
Majani Chocolate
Majani is one of Bologna’s finest institutions. Founded in 1796, this workshop gave birth to an innovative company, becoming a pioneer in the production of solid chocolate, revolutionizing the way the people of Bologna enjoyed sweets. The “Cioccolata Scorza,” named for its resemblance to tree bark, was created in 1832 and is the first solid chocolate ever produced in Italy.
Under the leadership of Giuseppe Majani, the company acquired modern machinery from Turin as early as 1856. Its creations were awarded, earning a silver medal at the 1867 Universal Exhibition in Paris, and soon Majani became synonymous with quality.
The brand’s prestige grew further when it became the official supplier to the Royal Household, and in 1878, King Umberto I granted them the right to use the Royal Coat of Arms, an honor that confirmed the undeniable quality of their products.
In 1913, Majani’s history gained another gem: the four-layer cremino, winner of a competition promoted by FIAT, which ensured its worldwide success and made it an iconic treat, still highly appreciated today. Among Majani’s most famous admirers were Giosuè Carducci and Gabriele D’Annunzio.
The Wireless Phone
Between the Palazzo del Podestà and Palazzo Re Enzo, under the bell tower of the Arengo, there is a ribbed vault supported by four pillars, adorned with statues of the saints who protect the city: San Petronio, San Procolo, San Francesco, and San Domenico. Here, a surprising acoustic phenomenon occurs: the wireless phone. By turning your face towards the wall and starting to speak, whoever is in the same position on the other side of the pillar will clearly perceive your voice. This happens thanks to the reflection of sound on the vault. Legend has it that priests used this trick to confess the plague-stricken without getting close. And you, have you ever tried it?
The Statue of Pope Gregory XIII
At the entrance of the town hall, there is the imposing bronze statue of Pope Gregory XIII. Born in Bologna in 1501, this pontiff is considered one of the most influential of the modern era, both for his role in the Catholic Reformation and for the reform of the calendar that bears his name. However, approaching the statue, you can notice something strange: on the tombstone, the inscription reads “Divus Petronius protector et pater“, which seems to suggest an identity swap with San Petronio, the patron saint of the city.
Aristotele Fioravanti, “the man who moved the towers”
There is an exceptional feat, to use the words of another illustrious Bolognese, which sees as its protagonist Aristotele Fioravanti, the architect who in 1455 moved the tower of the Magione, an imposing structure with a base of 4 meters and a height of almost 25 meters, for a distance of over 13 meters. To this was added the almost 5 meters of foundations, all moved in a single block, together with the overlying structure.
The Newborn’s Lamppost
At the intersection between Via Rizzoli and Piazza Nettuno, there is a special lamppost, dating back to 1920, which hangs from Palazzo Re Enzo. This lamppost, according to the original project, should have been connected to the maternity wards of the Sant’Orsola and Maggiore hospitals and light up intermittently for a few seconds every time a child was born, to welcome a new life. Unfortunately, it is not working but who knows, maybe we can see it light up, sooner or later.
And you, did you know these curiosities about Bologna?
