Lucio Dalla's House on Via D'Azeglio

What it is

Lucio Dalla (1943–2012) was one of Italy's best-loved singer-songwriters, author of songs such as Caruso or Piazza Grande, and a Bolognese to the end. He lived and worked in a flat on Via D'Azeglio, in the very centre, which is visited today just as he left it: his objects, his paintings and sculptures, the mementoes of his friends and of the famous guests who passed through. The guided visit, Ci vediamo da Lucio ("See you at Lucio's"), is organised by Bologna Welcome, the city's tourist office.

In an hour the guide tells of his relationship with Bologna, how his songs were born and recorded and his other side as actor, director and lover of painting, cinema, theatre, photography and poetry.

Times and season

Visits are on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays:

• Monday: 11:00 and 12:00.
• Friday: 15:00, 16:00, 17:00 and 18:00.
• Saturday: 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 and 17:00.

There are special slots on some public holidays, such as 4 March (Dalla's birthday), 25 April, 1 May, 2 June, 4 October, 1 November or 8 December. In summer there is a break: no visits from 28 June to 3 September. Check the exact dates in the booking calendar.

Price and booking

• General: €18.
• Reduced: €15 for ages 6 to 11, companions of people with disabilities and holders of the Bologna Welcome Card or the Card Cultura.
• Free: children under 6 and people with disabilities, up to five per visit, by asking beforehand by email from Bologna Welcome.

Booking is compulsory and named: you must give the name of all participants. Tickets are not refunded or changed to another date; only the name can be changed, up to 48 hours before. They are bought on the Bologna Welcome website.

Language

The visit is in Italian only. If you like his music and follow some Italian, you will understand it without trouble: the guide talks about songs you know and objects in front of you. If you speak no Italian at all, consider whether it is worth it for you.

Meeting point and rules

You meet at Piazza dei Celestini, next to the church of San Giovanni Battista, a few steps from Via D'Azeglio. Arrive 15 minutes early: if you are late you are not let in and are not refunded.

Inside you must switch off your phone and you cannot take photos or videos, touch the objects or bring in food, drink or animals. There are no toilets or cloakroom: leave large bags at the hotel.

Accessibility

The house is on the first floor of a historic building with no lift. If you have reduced mobility, write to Bologna Welcome beforehand to see whether the visit is possible.

Who it is for

For those who know and love his music, mostly adults and teenagers. With small children it makes little sense: it is an hour of explanations in a flat full of objects you cannot touch.

Combine it with

Via D'Azeglio leads off Piazza Maggiore, where the guided walk through the centre begins and where the Clock Tower of the Palazzo d'Accursio stands. The Piazza Grande of his song is Piazza Maggiore itself.