If you’re in Bologna or planning to visit, consider yourself lucky and also a smart traveler. There’s lots of reasons to visit this city—history, architecture, food—plus a great list of unusual things to do in Bologna.
The truth is that many tourists skip over this gem of a large Italian city, opting instead to hit the Italian trifecta—Venice, Florence, Rome. But this city never fails to impress.
And without further ado, a list of the most unusual things to do in Bologna.
The most unusual things to do in Bologna
Antica Aguzzeria del Cavallo
Knife sharpening is, sadly, going the way of the dodo. But not if this ancient shop smack in the center of Bologna has anything to say about that. Welcome to Antica Aguzzeria del Cavallo. Since 1783, they’ve been sharpening knives and swords here. And by “they,” we mean horses. Or at least horses were formerly employed here. Hence, the name, roughly translated as Ancient Horse Shop. In the old days, a horse in the courtyard was used to pull into motion a mechanism that would sharpen blades.
You might not see any live horses working there today. Just humans who are happily sharpening kitchen knives. The shop also sells an impressive array of cooking tools, many of which are difficult to find anywhere else.
Archiginnasio
We don’t have anatomical theater these days because, well, we have things like YouTube and television. And also, we no longer have such curiosities about the human body. But in centuries past, that curiosity led to the creation of anatomical theaters. It’s not a surprise that one of the most intact anatomical theaters is in a University of Bologna building.
Built between 1636 and 1737, the Anatomical Theater of the Archiginnasio is a fascinating place to visit today. Just the wall carvings and the statues of the “spellati,” or skinned men are worth the price of admission.
Bologna Zoological Collection
While serving a sentence in prison in the 16th century for heresy, Ulisse Aldrovandi became interested in zoology. The more exotic the better. When he was released from prison, he went about collecting the odd skeletons of beasts, eventually amassing about 18,000 monstrous animal artifacts. And the Bologna Zoological Collection was born.
Today this cabinet of curiosities is a fun way to spend a couple of hours gawking at the odd taxidermied mammals and animal skeletons. There are things in jars and beasts that are terrifying and hard to identify.
Convent of San Domenico
One of the most visited churches in Bologna, Corpus Domini was built in the 1470s as an early Renaissance church. Only the Renaissance facade survived after a late-Baroque renovation and some World War II bombing. The church is beloved by locals, who call it “Chiesa della Santa” because this sanctuary holds the body of Saint Catherine of Bologna, also known as Santa Caterina de’ Vigri, who founded the first Clares convent in Bologna.
For those who enjoy a macabre sight, head to the non-descript wooden door on the left side of the church. Ring a bell. And if the door magically opens, brace yourself, as you’re about to have an encounter with St. Catherine of Bologna herself. Sitting in a golden throne, the mummified body of habit-clad Catherine stairs out at you, as she clutches a cross and a bible in her soot-blackened hands.
FICO Eataly World
It seems that only in Bologna—or, in this case, just outside of town—would there be a theme park dedicated to food. There are actually a few food-themed rides that the kids will enjoy. There are also some small food factories, and of course, plenty of food markets, restaurants, and wine bars in which to indulge in the bounty that is Italian food. FICO Eataly World is a fun trip for families who love food. There’s a shuttle from the center of town that takes you right to the theme park.
Gelato Museum Carpigiani
Located just outside of Bologna in the small town of Anzola dell’Emilia, the Gelato Museum Carpigiani takes a deep plunge into the history, culture, and production of gelato in Italy, in general, and in Emilia Romagna, in particular. The museum exhibits about 20 different historical gelato making machines. The best part, of course, is getting to try some gelato.
Nearby there’s also the Carpigiani Gelato University, an internationally renowned institution dedicated to the art and science of gelato-making. Together, these institutions form a comprehensive hub for gelato education, appreciation, and innovation…and some of our favorites on the list of unusual things to do in Bologna.
