Bologna - Piazza del Nettuno

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages.

In 728 Bologna was conquered by the Longobard king Liutprand and thus became part of the Longobard Empire.

In the 11th century the place grew again as a free commune. In 1088 the university was founded, today the oldest university in Europe. As the city continued to expand, it received a new ring of ramparts in the 12th century, and another was completed in the 14th century.

In 1164 Bologna joined the Lombard League against Frederick I Barbarossa, and in 1256 the city promulgated the "Legge del Paradiso", which abolished serfdom and slavery and freed the remaining slaves with public money. The city center was a forest of towers. It is estimated that around 100 family towers of the leading families, church towers and towers of public buildings defined the cityscape.

In 1272, King Enzio of Sardinia, an illegitimate son of the Hohenstaufen Emperor Frederick II, died in Bologna after more than 22 years of imprisonment.

The "Fontana del Nettuno" is located on the "Piazza del Nettuno" in the center of Bologna.

The 3,35 m high statue of Neptune is made of bronze and stands in the center of the fountain, surrounded by sirens and dolphins. He is simply called "the giant" by the people of Bologna. The fountain was created between 1563 and 1566 by Giovanni di Bologna (aka Giambologna). The pedestal with the dolphins and sirens was designed by Tommaso Laureti.

The trident held by Neptune also adorns the logo of the Maserati company.

Seen to the very left is the "Palazzo Re Enzo", where Enzio died.