Palazzo Re Enzo

Palazzo Re Enzo & The Whisper Wall: Cool Spot, But Needs Some Care 🏰🗣️ Behind Palazzo Re Enzo, you’ll find the famous Whisper Wall, a fun and unique experience where two people can stand at opposite corners and whisper to each other across the arch. It really works! No wonder there was quite a long queue, as everyone wanted to try it out. However, the area wasn’t very clean and sadly had a rather unpleasant smell, which took away a bit of the magic. We hope the city will maintain it better, because it’s a lovely little spot that deserves more care. Still worth checking out, but come prepared.

Next to Piazza Maggiore and here you can find fountain of neptune.

This is one of the historic palaces at Piazza Maggiore. It was originally constructed between 1244-46 and is now named after King Enzo of Sardinia who was held prisoner here after the Battle of Fossalta until his death (1249-72). The palace was last restored in 1905, leaving us with the Gothic style building that we can see today. There is an interesting courtyard (closed to public when we passed by) that you can peer into, a fairly typical Bologna style bell tower and brick facaded exterior. The building is also topped with decorative battlements. You will find bars, a bookshop and a few other businesses fitted into the ground floor of Palazzo Re Enzo. Seems events are held within the palace from time to time as well.

Bologna has a welcome card which costs €25. This cards provides you with access to museums, palaces etc as part of the price. The card gives you access to the palace. The palace is only open certain times of the year. You need to book a time slot to visit. It is opened from 10:00-17:50pm. The palace is not big.

In the beautiful Piazza del Nettuno there is an interesting and beautiful palace, Palazzo Re Enzo. It takes its name from Enzo of Sardinia, Frederick II's son, who was prisoner here, from 1249 until his death in 1272. The palace was built between 1244-1246. as an extension of the nearby Palazzo del Podestà, which had proven insufficient for the exigencies of the Commune of Bologna. It was therefore initially known as the Palatium Novum ("New Palace"). The historical story is extremely interesting but at the same time very sad. Enzo was an illegitimate son of the Hohenstaufen emperor Frederick II, who appointed him 'King of Sardinia' in 1238. He played a major role in the wars between Guelphs and Ghibellines in the creation of Imperial kingdoms of Italy. Enzo was captured 1249 by the Guelphs at the Battle of Fossalta, and after a short stay in Anzola he was moved here, where he remained until his death. Enzo was allegedly left free within the palace by day, but by night he was kept into a cage hanging from the ceiling. He was also allowed to meet women, it is mentioned that he had three daughters, but a legend talks about a fourth son he had with a peasant woman, Lucia di Viadagola. Subsequent history is extremely important and interesting. The son was called Bentivoglio, from the words "Amore mio, ben ti voglio" that he said to his beloved (meaning "My love, I'm fond of you"), and he would be the ancestor of the Bentivoglio family, later rulers of Bologna. The interior of the Palace is beautiful. At the centre of the colonnaded courtyard, there is an ancient sandstone well, while on the right-hand side you will find the ancient Chapel of St. Mary of Prisoners, which was recently restored and decorated by British artist David Tremlett. On the first floor from the loggia, the Salone del Podestà is accessed through a covered passageway and a majestic solid wood door. The spacious Salone del Podestà, which was once a courtroom, was used as a Public Theatre between 1581 and 1767 (the second version of the Euridice was performed here in 1616) and later became a court for ball games. Beautiful Sala re Enzo is located on the second floor of the building and covers around 400 sqm.

Beautiful exterior and amazing interior. Palazzo often used for fests and professional events.

It is very enjoyable to spend time in the square. The lighting in the evening hours offers a different visual.

An historical huge palace, right in the heart of Bologna, where you can enjoy lots of amazing events.