Piazza XX settembre, Square in the Porto district, Bologna, Italy
Piazza XX Settembre is an open square in the Porto district of Bologna, located near the former city walls. Several streets converge here, including Via dell'Indipendenza and Viale Pietro Pietramellara, making it a natural crossroads where pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles all flow together.
The square took shape in the early 20th century when part of Bologna's city walls was torn down, opening up the area to public use. It received its current name in 1909, in memory of September 20, 1870.
The name of the square refers to September 20, 1870, the day Italian troops entered Rome through the breach of Porta Pia. Locals pass through this space daily as a living part of the Porto district, where the old city gate Porta Galliera still stands nearby as a visible reminder of what once separated the city from the outside world.
The square sits just a short walk from Bologna Centrale station, making it easy to reach at the start or end of a visit. From here, the portico-lined streets of the city center fan out in several directions and can be explored entirely on foot.
The square was at one point also referred to as XXL Piazza Libera, as part of a local initiative to make the space more open and pedestrian-friendly. This temporary rebranding was tied to a broader urban program called IMMAGINI, which explored how Bologna was changing over time.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
