Culture & Style

18-10-2017 | Style & Culture

Written by: Duetorrihotels

A precious witness to the city's history, the Grand Hotel Majestic “già Baglioni” has for centuries guarded beauty and tradition in the middle of Bologna's historic centre, a de-facto museum of art, history and culture, fully able to represent the most learned of Italian cities.

Majestic Style

Its foundations, which have a section of the Flaminia Militare Roman road dating back to 187 BCE running through them, hold the remains of ancient mediaeval towers of the Ariosti family, which included Renaissance poet Ludovico Ariosto. From the garden terrace, on the other hand, which looks over roofs and entire palazzi, it is possible to discern the structure of the ancient Roman city.

A masterpiece of art and hospitality

Fruit of an architectural reworking which exploits the octagonal view of the Palazzo Fava tower, the Grand Hotel Majestic “già Baglioni”, the only luxury five-star hotel in Emilia Romagna, recounts the many eras of its history through art.

Inside the building — which attained its current form in the 18th century, when it was assigned the use of Archbishop’s Seminary by Bolognese pope Benedict XIV — there are precious frescoed rooms painted by the maestros of the Bolognese school of the 16th and 17th centuries. The stand-outs of this era were Agostino Carracci, Annibale Carracci and Ludovico Carracci, responsible for the frescoes decorating the “I Carracci” restaurant and the Camerino d’Europa, the hotel's exclusive meeting room.

History and style through the centuries

The richness and variety of 18th-century Italy is reflected in the architecture of the palazzo, which looks onto Saint Peter’s Cathedral and is located in a position of particular importance in the city. The 20th century is expressed in the style and creative dynamism of Café Marinetti, dedicated to Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, founder of Futurism, who chose the setting of the Grand Hotel Majestic “già Baglioni” as a base for his activities. Finally, the ancient barrel vaults of the Enoteca Morandi reference the tradition of Bologna's historic inns, completing an itinerary which crosses different eras and languages.

Culture

The Grand Hotel Majestic “già Baglioni” is a perfect representation of the excellences for which Bologna and Italy are famous: art, academic culture, food and wine, motoring and well-being.

Classical, futurist and contemporary art, both painting and architectural, is evidenced through the hands and creative gaze of artists and trend-setters such as the Carracci brothers, Marinetti and others.

The academic culture and valuing of education are embodied by the University of Bologna, known as Alma Mater Studiorum, the oldest university in the Western world, which every year sees an influx of thousands of new students.

The wine and food tradition, of which the city can boast a long history of typical products and flavours, is expressed in the hotel through the delicacies served by the “I Carracci” Restaurant, in the futurist extension of the Café Marinetti, and through food shopping initiatives in the artisan stores of the historic centre, in its mediaeval markets and at the nearby cheese, ham and vinegar producers, where visitors can admire the production of these world-famous products first-hand. The flavour of the best wines, on the other hand, emerges from thematic visits to the fields around Bologna to experience the harvest, or through tastings in the Enoteca Morandi wine bar, the hotel’s historic wine cellar, with a selected range of over 300 Italian and foreign vintages.

An iconic hospitality experience chosen by great figures throughout the ages

Every excellence weaves harmoniously together with the others for an experience of taste, pleasure and discovery, through the common thread of the most attentive and complete welcome. That same welcome which, from the very beginning, led great personalities to choose the Grand Hotel Majestic “già Baglioni” as their exclusive residence in the city: from Giuseppe Verdi to Marinetti and on to Lady Diana, Prince Albert of Monaco, great singers such as Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and José Carreras, and Hollywood stars such as Sean Connery, Woody Allen and Wim Wenders.

Our hospitality

The courtesy, welcome and conviviality which make Bologna famous for good living resonate tangibly in the locations and initiatives of the Grand Hotel Majestic “già Baglioni”. The Hotel, on one of the city's main thoroughfares, Via dell’Indipendenza, represents a perfect starting point for visiting the city — from here you can easily set out to trace stories of the past, contributions to modernity and innovation, and pleasant social occasions in shops, streets and lively, convivial day-to-day encounters.

Our suites with their flower-lined balconies and elegant, welcoming rooms, furnished with prestigious pieces, represent the best example of excellence in hospitality, uniqueness and the combination of tradition and functionality. Some of these rooms boast views of nearby Piazza del Nettuno, dominated by the famous Renaissance fountain of the sea god which was cast in the mid 16th century by French sculptor Jean Boulogne, known as Giambologna, after whom one of the hotel's suites is named. The Art Deco Terrace Suite stands out as the only room with private panoramic terrace, from which you can enjoy one of the best views of the city. Of no less importance is the professionalism and courtesy of the hotel's staff, typical of Bolognese hospitality.