The Park of Montagnola is one of the oldest and greenest public parks in the centre of Bologna, Italy. It was first opened in the 17th century. It commemorates the victory of the Italians over the Austrians in 1848. The park has a number of 19th and early 20th century sculptures. It is used for various events.
The Montagnola is an artificial plateau formed by the accumulation of debris from the nearby 14th century Galliera Castle. This castle had been built by Bertrando del Poggetto to house the pope and his court. It was later destroyed by mobs. The park was opened to the public in 1664,1] though it was undeveloped until the end of the 18th century. Here, on 6 January 1798 the remains of Luigi Zamboni and Giovanni Battista De Rolandis were solemnly buried by direct order of Napoleon. In 1799, with the arrival of the Austrians, the remains were dispersed.[2
In 1805, by order of the Napoleonic rulers, it was decided to turn it into a public garden. The design was entrusted to Giovan Battista Martinetti, who designed a circular street layout. Work on the new gardens was completed in 1808.3
Description
The raised plateau of the park contains the ruins of the 14th-century Castello di Galliera. On the northwest side, a scenographic Pincio staircase (1893-1896), designed by Tito Azzolini and Attilio Muggia, leads up to the park. The stairs are decorated by sculptural reliefs and statues inspired by the history of Bologna, created by Arturo Orsoni, Pietro Veronesi, Tullo Golfarelli, Ettore Sabbioni, and Arturo Colombarini. At the centre of the Park is a circular pool completed for the Exposition of the Province of Emilia in 1888. It is surrounded by animal sculptures by Diego Sarti.
It is the oldest park of Bologna and it has always been a location used for performances, games and sport competitions. This park is open to the public since 1664. The current plan is to be dated back to the first years of the 19th century, when Napoleon ordered the architect G.B Marinetti to redesign it in the French style. In 1896, in the park, were built a monumental flight of stairs and a circular basin in the middle of the garden. In Montagnola, there are also centuries-old plane trees from the Napoleon period. The description is taken from I Giardini di Bologna,...
Read moreParco della Montagnola is a large public park located in the center of Bologna, Italy. It was originally built in the 19th century, but fell into disrepair in the latter half of the 20th century. However, in recent years, the park has undergone a major revitalization effort, and is now once again a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
The park is home to a variety of attractions, including: Multiple cafes in the Parisian style A jazz music series every night in the summer and fall Stands serving artisanal craft beer, cocktails, burgers, and falafel A Montessori-style daycare and nursery Sculptures around the historic fountain, which overlooks the Roman wall ruins of the old Bologna The park is also a popular spot for a variety of activities, including: Picnicking Walking Running Biking Playing sports People-watching I recently visited Parco della Montagnola and was very impressed with the transformation that it has undergone. The park is now clean, well-maintained, and full of life. I would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Bologna.
Here are some additional thoughts on the park:
The jazz music series is a great way to enjoy a summer evening in the park. The music is always top-notch, and the atmosphere is very relaxed and enjoyable. The stands serving artisanal food and drinks are a great way to sample some of the local cuisine. There is something for everyone, whether you are looking for a light snack or a full meal. The Montessori-style daycare and nursery is a great option for parents who want to enjoy the park without having to worry about their children. The daycare is staffed by experienced professionals who provide a safe and stimulating environment for children of all ages. The sculptures around the historic fountain are a reminder of the park's rich history. The fountain itself is a beautiful example of 19th century architecture, and the sculptures provide a glimpse into the city's past. Overall, Parco della Montagnola is a great place to relax, enjoy the outdoors, and experience some of the best that Bologna has to offer. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the...
Read moreWe came to this park by wandering through the streets and going to the train station. We first stopped at the Piazza dell'8 Agosto, where one can find all sorts of products at a lower price than in normal shops (in part, it looked like a market with products imported from China - I don't refer to any type of quality - I even saw a leather pouch at a more than fair price that was available in my country at more than EUR 10). Crossing the street, I wanted to take a few photos of the market and the statue before diving more into the park. We were greeted by a strong smell of smoked marijuana. Near the statue, the smell turned into urine and poop (careful where you step there). When I went into the park, someone there saw me with the camera at my neck and immediately started swearing in english and italian and approached me telling me to take some photos of him. I believe he was under influence (drugs or alcohol). We made a few signs for him to leave (there were three of them sitting at a bench). It was a very unpleasant moment to get sweared all of a sudden. We tried to leave the park in quite a hurry, and missed the view of Scalinata del Pincio. We went to the exit facing Autostazione di Bologna were the smell of urine persisted. If you plan to take a trip there, do it...
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