Palazzo d’Accursio, also known as Palazzo Comunale, is the sprawling civic palace on Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore. Once the home of the jurist Francesco d’Accursio, it grew over several centuries into a complex of medieval and Renaissance buildings. Its brick façade, clock tower and bronze statue of the Bologna-born Pope Gregory XIII make it one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
The palace has been a seat of city government for centuries and also served as a residence for papal legates when Bologna was part of the Papal States. That layered history is visible inside, from the broad, ramp-like staircase traditionally said to have accommodated horses to the grand Sala Farnese. The Collezioni Comunali d’Arte bring together paintings, furniture and decorative arts in rooms that are attractions in their own right.
A visit offers a quieter counterpoint to the bustle of Piazza Maggiore, with the chance to see both a working town hall and the spaces where Bologna’s civic history unfolded. The palace is easily reached on foot from elsewhere in the historic centre, and Bologna Centrale station is about a 20-minute walk away. Check current opening hours and ticket requirements for the art collections and clock tower before visiting; access to some rooms may also be restricted for official events.