SALA BORSA
Bologna has stood out for centuries for its cultural fervor and its unique and varied historical fabric, and it is easy, even when visiting, to often miss some more hidden or hidden masterpiece. This is perhaps the case of an extraordinary architectural jewel: the covered square of Sala Borsa, which is located in a pavilion of Palazzo d’Accursio or Comunale, and which in addition to being an iconic meeting point for citizens, is a true living symbol of the history and culture that have contributed to shaping the identity of Bologna.
An imposing structure of glass and iron that lets sunlight penetrate and underneath, the remains of distant eras brought to light by recent archaeological excavations that tell of centuries of transformations. This is Sala Borsa, which once returned to the citizens has established itself as the only large covered square in Italy, an example of history and great innovation, it is now a vibrant space full of life. A covered square between iron, glass and ancient history
The covered square of Sala Borsa is a truly fascinating example of how engineering and art can meet and give life to something truly unique. Its first version was inaugurated in 1886, designed by the engineer Filippo Buriani and built by Alfredo Cottrau’s company. The inspiration is undoubtedly the large glass and iron constructions typical of the time, such as the iconic shopping arcades and railway stations. At the end of the works, what appears is a very bright and airy room covered by a large iron and glass pavilion, which initially housed the renowned Stock Exchange. Time and necessity transform this place and in the 1920s this square was renovated and embellished with a monumental skylight and an eclectic-style coffered ceiling. The original cast iron structures are thus hidden under a layer of cement and stucco that give an absolutely solemn atmosphere that still today arouses a sense of absolute wonder in visitors. Under a transparent glass floor, today the remains of ancient civilizations of Felsina, an ancient Etruscan city, and Bononia, the ancient Roman name for Bologna, are clearly visible: a timeline that connects a remote past with the present and contemporaneity, which makes this square not only a physical meeting point for the community, but also a symbolic meeting between apparently distant eras and cultures.
Originally built as the headquarters of the Stock Exchange, this particular place experienced long periods of splendor and abandonment, so much so that this covered square seems in some way to reflect the social, economic and cultural changes of Bologna. In 1903 the Stock Exchange closed due to lack of activity and the hall became the site of a restaurant and a multipurpose center. In 1922 the structure was entrusted to the Cassa di Risparmio which transformed it into a series of bank offices and a new headquarters for the Stock Exchange. However, it was 1926 that marked a new chapter in the life of this space, which adapted to the new needs and requirements of a city in full ferment and transformation, even if the Sala Borsa found its true purpose for itself only at the end of the 20th century. In fact, in 2001, after major renovation work, it inaugurated the multimedia library: a further effort for the preservation and enhancement of contemporary knowledge and historical memory. In 2016, this beautiful covered square becomes a tribute to the figure of Umberto Eco, a symbol of Italian and international culture, as it is very close to his vision, with the aim of making his philosophy tangible. A covered square in the heart of Bologna, a symbol of culture and progress