The Bologna Magica Tour: A Journey Through the City's Mysteries

For almost thirty years, from 1992 to 2020, the "Bologna Magica Tour" guided visitors and locals alike through the hidden secrets of the city. A unique journey that revealed stories of witches and alchemists, astrologers and heretics, through eleven key stops in the heart of Bologna. Today, we preserve the memory of this extraordinary itinerary, allowing anyone to explore the most mysterious side of the city of towers. [Leggi in Italiano]

Tour Stops

1. Basilica of San Petronio

Among the arches and naves of Bologna's largest basilica lies an intricate universe of esoteric symbols. Few know that the entire structure was conceived as a colossal astronomical instrument, where architecture and astrology merge in perfect harmony:

  • The zodiacal meridian line on the floor, which revolutionized the calendar
  • The facade with its complex symbolism: the triangle of elevation, the square of stability, and the hexagon of man
  • The twelve astronomical points that determine the building's proportions

"Every stone of the basilica hides a deeper meaning, an encrypted message left by medieval Master Masons."

2. Neptune's Fountain

In the heart of Bologna, the mighty Neptune has watched over the city since 1566, a silent witness to the struggle between orthodoxy and heresy during the Council of Trent. But the most fascinating stories hide in the buildings that surround it:

  • Neptune, the pagan deity whose trident symbolically crushes heresy
  • The nearby Palazzo Re Enzo, where the wizard Michele Scoto held mysterious banquets
  • The remains of the ancient Botanical Garden, where magical herbs were studied

3. Galvani Square and the Archiginnasio

In the ancient seat of the world's oldest university, scientific experiments merged with alchemical practices, and medicine conversed with astrology. This was a place where the pursuit of knowledge transcended the boundaries between science and mystery:

  • The statue of Luigi Galvani, whose experiments inspired "Frankenstein"
  • The Anatomical Theater with its mysterious astrological cycle
  • The place where "theriac" was produced, the ancient universal panacea

4. Via D'Azeglio

The stones of this ancient street tell tales of medieval masonry and mysterious female figures. Here, beneath centuries-old porticoes, the stories of Bologna's first masonry and one of the city's most famous witches intertwine:

  • The Church of San Procolo, seat of the first Masonry
  • The Bastardini portico with its enigmatic symbol of the She-Devil
  • The place where the witch Caterina lived in the 15th century

5. Basilica of San Domenico

The austere walls of this basilica have guarded the secrets of the Inquisition for centuries, but also much older mysteries. In this sacred place, the stories of the Templars intertwine with still unsolved enigmas:

  • Historic seat of the Inquisition Tribunal
  • Connections with the Templar Order and other medieval esoteric movements
  • Nearby, the enigma of Aelia Lelia Crispis, the mysterious stone that has puzzled scholars for centuries

6. The Santo Stefano Complex

From ancient pagan roots to Christian mysticism, the Seven Churches preserve two thousand years of esoteric history. A true sacred microcosm that reproduces the celestial Jerusalem in the heart of Bologna:

  • Ancient origins linked to the cult of Isis
  • The exact reproduction of Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre
  • The mysterious Basin in Pilate's courtyard, connected to the Holy Grail legend
  • Capitals decorated with hermetic and alchemical symbols

7. The Two Towers

Bologna's stone sentinels are not merely civic symbols, but the center of an elaborate astrological system embracing the entire city. According to 17th-century texts, the towers served as the pivot of a true celestial map:

  • The legendary construction of the Asinelli Tower in a single night
  • The towers as the center of an urban zodiacal system
  • The twelve city gates representing the zodiacal signs

"The Two Towers are not just Bologna's symbol, but the center of a complex sacred geography embracing the entire city."

8. The Former Jewish Ghetto

In the narrow alleys of the ancient ghetto, Kabbalistic wisdom merged with alchemical research. Here, among tower houses and hidden synagogues, scholars sought to unveil the secrets of matter and spirit:

  • Center of the city's Kabbalistic and alchemical studies
  • Site of the discovery of Casciarolo's "Luciferin Stone"
  • Palazzo Bocchi and the Hermatena academy, meeting point of scholars and esotericists

9. Via Galliera

This elegant street conceals the cradle of Bolognese tarot. Among its noble palaces, stories of divinatory arts and persecutions intertwine with those of powerful families and ancient traditions:

  • Palazzo Felicini and the Fibbia Castracani family, linked to the birth of tarot
  • The memory of the "Devil's Bonfire" of 1423 in Piazza Maggiore
  • The first representation of the Hanged Man in the Bolognini Chapel

10. Via IV Novembre

An apparently ordinary street that conceals extraordinary connections to the occult world. From the birthplace of one of the greatest inventors to the dwellings of witches and astrologers, every stone tells a story of magic and science:

  • The birthplace of Guglielmo Marconi and his interest in spiritualism
  • The first Chair of Astrology in the Faculty of Medicine
  • The Torresotto Portanova, home of the legendary "enormous witch" Gentile Cimieri

11. Piazza San Francesco

The journey concludes in a place where art, music, and alchemy blend in perfect harmony. The ancient tombs of the Glossators, guardians of forgotten knowledge, watch over the square where even the young Mozart left his mysterious mark:

  • The Glossators' tombs with their hermetic symbols
  • The memory of Mozart's examination at the Philharmonic Academy
  • The Gothic basilica and its tales of conventual alchemy

"A place where music, alchemy, and knowledge intertwine, concluding the journey through Bologna's mysteries."

History of the Tour

The "Bologna Magica Tour" was born in 1992 from a love for a city that has always evoked mystery and enchantment. For almost three decades, it guided curious visitors and enthusiasts through the streets of Bologna, revealing secrets hidden among its medieval porticoes and towers.

Each stop on the route was carefully selected to reveal a different aspect of esoteric Bologna: from alchemy to witchcraft, from astrology to tarot, creating a fascinating mosaic of history and mystery.

A Heritage to Preserve

"Rediscovering this historic tour has been an incredible emotion. Preserving the memory of these routes means keeping alive a fundamental part of Bologna's identity, its most mysterious and fascinating side. Through this website, we want to allow everyone to explore these places full of history and mystery."

Max

Tour Information

The original route included 11 stops in Bologna's historic center. Each stop reveals a different aspect of the esoteric city, creating a unique journey through centuries of history and mystery.

Estimated walking time: 2-3 hours

Did You Know?

The "Bologna Magica Tour" was active from 1992 to 2020, guiding thousands of visitors to discover the city's mysteries. It was created by passionate local researchers who dedicated years to studying Bologna's esoteric side.

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