The Palais des Beaux-Arts is located in the heart of Bologna, in Piazza Maggiore. The building was erected at the beginning of the 13th century, when the city authorities decided to build Piazza Maggiore. It was decided to build a building specially designed for the city government on the new cleared area. Under the vault of the palace portico were merchants and artisans, and the first floor was occupied by notaries, until they moved to his palace. Above the palace towered the Arengo Tower, whose bell summoned the people to gather or announce important events.→