the arcades
Why a Bologna food walk happens under arches
The porticoes, their length and their World Heritage status, and what they mean for a walking tour.
Reserve your food walk ↗The porticoes in numbers
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| In the historic centre | More than 38 kilometres |
| Counting those outside the medieval walls | Up to 53 kilometres |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | Declared in 2021 |
| Similar arcades elsewhere | The qi-lou of southern China and the gan-gi of Japan |
A city of covered streets
No other city in the world has as many porticoes as Bologna. They run for more than 38 kilometres in the historic centre alone, and up to 53 kilometres once the arcades outside the medieval walls are counted.
World Heritage since 2021
In 2021 the porticoes of Bologna were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their cultural and artistic significance, a symbol of the city beside its towers.
Kin across the world
Arcades of this kind are not unique to Bologna: the qi-lou of southern China and the gan-gi of Japanese cities on the Sea of Japan are similar. What Bologna has is the scale.
What it means on foot
The tour asks you to dress for the weather, but in a city this arcaded you are rarely far from a roof. That is part of why a walking tour fits Bologna so well.
What to look at
Look up as you walk. The arches change from street to street in height, columns and vaulting, and the guide shares stories about the city's history and traditions along the way.
After the last tasting
The tour ends at the Two Towers, in the middle of the old centre. From there the arcades run in every direction, so walking on to the next one is easy.