In 2021, the city’s unique feature could be added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Porticoes are one of Bologna, capital of Emilia-Romagna region, distinctive features and make it unique in the world. Deep architectural perspectives, lights and shadows, as well as different types of columns and capitals create extraordinary urban scenic designs.

The world-famous porticoes were included in the Italian Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites back in 2006. Now, Italy officially included the porticoes in this year’s candidature for the prestigious list. And UNESCO formally accepted the candidacy. In 2021, the organization will announce in 2021 if the city’s colonnades received the coveted status.

The bid relates to 12 of the most symbolic sections of the almost 1,000 years old porticoes. Among them, Portico degli Alemanni, Casa Isolani, Casa Grassi, and the houses on Via Begatto.

But also, Portico di San Luca that, with its 3.8km, is the longest portico in the world. But in total Bologna has 62km of porticoes, of which 42 km in the historic center.

This system is made of porticoes from different eras: Mediaeval wooden-porticoes over buildings; Gothic and Renaissance porticoes integrated into buildings; and 19th-century porticoes featuring court-architecture. According to UNESCO, these can be “regarded on the whole as unique from an architectural viewpoint in terms of their authenticity and integrity.”

The president of UNESCO’s Italian national commission, Franco Bernabè commented: “The presentation of the candidacy of Bologna’s porticoes to the list of world heritage for the 2020-2021 cycle, approved by the board of directors of the commission, represents the conclusion of a choral work between civil society and local administrators. The candidacy highlights the universal value of the porticoes as an architectural, cultural, and identity element.”