Bologna Noire: a tour through the crime news of the past

This 1.5-hour guided tour in Bologna offers a fascinating look at the city’s darker history, focusing on crime, executions, and legends. Led by licensed guides with over 10 years of experience, the tour covers stories of heretics, violence in papal Bologna, and macabre legends like Frankenstein’s origins and the deviless of Ospedale dei Bastardini. The tour departs from Piazza del Nettuno and is suitable for families looking to combine education with fun.

One of the tour’s strengths is its focus on lesser-known stories of Bologna’s past, making it ideal for travelers interested in history, crime, and legend. The tour is wheelchair accessible and conducted in Italian, offering a straightforward introduction to the city’s most mysterious and disturbing chronicles. The only potential consideration is the duration—90 minutes—which encourages a brisk pace among the many sites visited.

• Duration: 1.5 hours, with flexible starting times (check availability)
• Led by licensed guides with over 10 years of experience in Italy
• Focus on dark history, including heretics, public executions, and legends
• Family-friendly and engaging for all ages
• Includes stories of Frankenstein origins, the Ospedale dei Bastardini deviless, and more
• Meeting point: Piazza del Nettuno, near Palazzo Re Enz

The tour begins in front of the entrance gate of Palazzo Re Enz at Piazza del Nettuno. This central location makes it easy for travelers to connect from various parts of Bologna. The meeting point is convenient and recognizable, making the start of the journey straightforward. The tour concludes back at the same spot, allowing for smooth planning afterward.

Accessibility and Flexibility

Since the tour is wheelchair accessible, it accommodates travelers with limited mobility. The option to reserve and pay later offers flexibility for spontaneous travel plans, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before helps travelers plan without stress.

The tour takes a compelling look at heretics, witches, and the Inquisition. It explores how the city’s past was shaped by persecutions and trials, offering a vivid picture of the people’s fears and the authorities’ harsh measures. Visitors learn about the persecution of treacherous heretics and the inquisition’s role in shaping Bologna’s history.

This part of the tour reveals the savage side of medieval justice and the cultural climate that led to executions of those accused of heresy. The stories are presented in a way that is both informative and engaging, suitable for all ages interested in understanding the darker chapters of the city’s past.

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The Violence in Papal Bologna

Another significant focus is the violence committed by prelates in the period when Bologna was under papal control. The guides recount the conflicts and brutalities carried out by church authorities, shedding light on the tension between religious power and local communities. These stories highlight a more tumultuous side of Bologna’s history that often remains hidden.

Public Executions and Macabre Sites

A key highlight is visiting the sites of public executions that once dotted Bologna. These locations bear witness to the city’s once-violent justice practices and provide a tangible link to the past. The tour describes the types of punishments inflicted and the societal context behind them.

Some notable locations include places where notomies—bizarre carnival rituals with dark origins—took place. The guide explains how these events reflected the city’s complex relationship with death and spectacle, adding depth to the storytelling.

The Frankenstein Connection and Local Legends

The tour explores “Bolognese origins of Frankenstein,” uncovering how the legend is tied to local stories and historical figures. This segment connects literature, legend, and history, making for an intriguing insight into Bologna’s cultural fabric.

Additional tales include the deviless of Ospedale dei Bastardini, a mysterious figure linked to local legends, and the murders at DAMS, an area famed for unresolved mysteries. These stories blend history and myth, offering a layered perspective on Bologna’s more mysterious face.

Crime News and Trials at the Heart of Bologna

Throughout the tour, the focus remains on murders, tribunals, and mysteries that have left their mark on the city. The guides highlight notable criminal stories, the judicial processes of the past, and the legends that grew around unresolved cases. These stories are woven into Bologna’s urban fabric, revealing its most disturbing stories.

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The Dark Carnival Notomies

One of the more unusual aspects covered are the carnival notomies, bizarre rituals with grim origins. The guides describe how these events reflected societal anxieties surrounding death and morality, adding a layer of cultural history to the tour.

Practical Details: Group Size, Language, and Duration

The entire experience lasts 90 minutes, with live guides conducting the tour in Italian. The small, manageable group ensures a more personal experience, and the family-friendly approach makes it enjoyable for children and adults alike. The meeting point in Piazza del Nettuno provides a central and accessible location to start and end the tour.

This tour is organized by Italia in Tour, a provider with over 10 years of experience in conducting tours across Italy. Their guides are licensed professionals, ensuring a trustworthy and informative experience. The focus on dark history and legends gives this tour a unique flavor compared to more conventional Bologna experiences.

This Bologna Noire tour appeals especially to those interested in history, crime, legends, or local myths. It’s ideal for travelers who enjoy stories that reveal the city’s most disturbing side, without requiring long hours or strenuous walking. The accessible format and engaging storytelling make it suitable for families and curious minds.

This tour offers a captivating look at Bologna’s darker history, blending facts, legends, and stories of crime and punishment. Its short duration makes it an attractive option for those with limited time but eager to discover the city’s more haunting stories.

While it emphasizes dark tales, the tour also provides context about Bologna’s cultural history, making it a well-rounded experience. The expert guides, focus on local legends, and accessible format contribute to its appeal.

Travelers seeking a mysterious and educational activity in Bologna will find this tour a compelling way to explore the city’s most disturbing face.

How long is the Bologna Noire tour?
The tour lasts 1.5 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?
It begins and ends in front of the entrance gate of Palazzo Re Enz at Piazza del Nettuno.

Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, it is family-friendly and suitable for all ages.

What language is the tour conducted in?
The tour is conducted in Italian.

Can I cancel the tour?
Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the tour accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.

What topics are covered during the tour?
Topics include heretics, witches, public executions, Frankenstein origins, murders, tribunals, and carnival notomies.

Who organizes the Bologna Noire tour?
It is organized by Italia in Tour, a company with over 10 years’ experience.

Is there an option to reserve and pay later?
Yes, you can reserve now and pay later to keep your plans flexible.

What makes this tour different from other Bologna experiences?
Its focus on dark history, crime, legends, and local myths sets it apart from more traditional city tours.

This detailed look at Bologna Noire should help travelers decide if exploring the city’s shadowy stories fits their interests. It offers an engaging, well-organized way to uncover Bologna’s most captivating and disturbing stories, all within a concise and accessible format.

You can check availability for your dates here: More Great Tours Nearby