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Sunlight entering through an opening in the ceiling of Basilica di San Petronio. — Meridian Line of Basilica di San Petronio

Heritage Charkha Museum

The trestle from off the southeast abutment. — Renslow Trestle

The Willow Globe shortly after it was planted — Willow Globe Theatre

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Introducing one of the only train station lobsters that won't leave you filled with regret — Grand Brasserie

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Cevapčići at Sarajevo ‘84 — Sarajevo ‘84

In this salad, rice gets topped with pinches of toasted coconut, dried fish, finely-sliced herbs and vegetables, bean sprouts, a tiny knot of noodles, crushed black pepper and dried chili. — Thai-Islam Phochana

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Bear 409, “Beadnose,” a sow that won Fat Bear Week in 2018. GIS specialist Joel Cusick is pioneering a new technique for calculating the bears’ weight that doesn’t disrupt their normal activity. — Fat Bears and 5 Other Stories of Preparing for Winter

Accusations around sex and race have caused controversy and change at a major LARP community. — Racism and Sexism Claims Shake a Modern Fantasy Village

T'anta wawa, or "baby bread," is baked in Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, and Ecuador in honor of those who have passed away. — Bake 'Baby Bread' as a Celebration of Life and Death

Get out of town to find transformative connections around the world. — Find Your Escape With Atlas Obscura’s Best Places to Travel in 2025

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Italy

Bologna

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Bologna

20 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Bologna, Italy

Updated November 15, 2024

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Unusual Attractions in Bologna

The Finestrella sul Canale (Canal Window)

Bologna, Italy

Finestrella di Via Piella

A small window on Via Piella offers a lovely and rare peek at Bologna's lost canals.

Anatomical exhibits at the Museo di Palazzo Poggi

Bologna, Italy

Museo di Palazzo Poggi Anatomy & Obstetrics Collection

An extraordinary collection of 18th century anatomical waxworks.

Artist impression of medieval Bologna.

Bologna, Italy

Towers of Bologna

Over 100 towers were built in Bologna during the Middle Ages, but only 22 survive.

Bologna, Italy

Saint Catherine of Bologna

The mummified relic of St. Catherine sits forever on a golden throne.

Wax anatomical model without brain

Bologna, Italy

Bologna's Istituto di Anatomia Umana Normale

An amazing collection of wax anatomical models and terratological models.

The Anatomical Theatre of Archiginnasio

Bologna, Italy

Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio

In the world's oldest university is a stunning 17th century anatomical theater carved from spruce.

Bologna, Italy

Bologna Zoological Museum

This zoological museum began as the first great curiosity cabinet.

Fountain of Neptune.

Bologna, Italy

Fountain of Neptune

Legend has it this fountain built to symbolize the Pope’s power hides a strange secret concerning Neptune's manliness.

See All 19 Things To Do in Bologna

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Bologna

Bologna, Italy

Antica Aguzzeria del Cavallo

Once known for its horse-powered knife sharpening, this 200-year-old shop offers an array of blades and hard-to-find culinary tools.

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Stories About Bologna

The partial skull found in Marcel Loubens Cave is more than 5,000 years old

Solved: The Mystery of a Lonely Human Skull in an Italian Cave

Scientists found answers in a single piece of evidence.

by Gemma Tarlach

Snapdragons (Anthirrinum majus) grow from Bologna's ancient fortifications.

A Century-Old Botanical Catalog Shows How Urban Plant Life Has Changed

In Bologna and other cities around the world, it’s the age of the hardy invader.

by Isaac Schultz

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