The Porticoes of Bologna
The collection includes twelve components, including groups of porticoes and their surrounding buildings, located in the city of Bologna, built from the 12th century to the present day. These groups of porticoes are considered the most representative of the porticoes in the city, with a total length of 62 km. Some porticoes are built of wood, others of stone or brick, and others of reinforced concrete, covering roads, squares, paths and sidewalks, located on one or both sides of the street. The portico buildings in the collection do not form a structural continuum with the other buildings and therefore do not belong to complete covered walkways or passages. The porticoes were considered to be sheltered walkways and the main place of commercial activities. In the 20th century, the use of concrete allowed the traditional arched arcades to be replaced by new architectural possibilities and a new architectural language of porticoes emerged, such as the Barca area. The selected porticoes reflect different typologies, urban and social functions and time periods. Defined as private property for public use, the portico has become an expression and element of Bologna's urban identity.