All roads lead to pivotal 13th-century Piazza Maggiore, flanked by Basilica di San Petronio, Europe's sixth-largest basilica, and a series of impressive Renaissance palazzi such as Palazzo Comunale and Palazzo del Podestà .
It's especially atmospheric and lively in summer, when Bolognese spill into the square, some toting wine and snacks, for Sotto le Stelle del Cinema (Cinema under the Stars) – evening films shown on Europe's largest projection screen over 50 evenings between June 18 and Aug 15; and Il Cinema Ritrovato in the last week of June, which is similar but features restored classics.