projects | Viabizzuno progettiamo la luce

the portico dei mendicanti was built in 1667 to plans made by matteo belli, and was intended as a covered way connecting the church of san gregorio and the beggars' hospital to the eastern part of the via emilia outside the town centre. it was the first example in bologna of a convenient, easily accessible covered way linking the outlying areas with the walled city. It is a simple, functional architectural structure, comprising a series of arches supported by pillars, in keeping with the historic model so frequently found in bologna. the only concession to the classical monumental style is to be seen in the elegant arch at the beginning of the portico, close to san gregorio church, with its ashlared face surmounted by a curved typanum, similar to the style of the city gateways.