Come on this guided tour and discover a story of architectural transformation in the heart of Bologna. Located in the historic center of the city, this church built in 1608 by Pietro Fiorini experienced centuries of changes: it was used as a hay barn, a military warehouse, a car repair shop, and later as a parking lot. Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, the project preserved its ruined character, combining careful restoration with contemporary additions. Openings in corten steel and burnished brass create a dialogue between interior and exterior: corten blends with the brick, while brass relates to the sandstone and interior walls, reinterpreting colors drawn from the building’s layers of sedimentation. Today, the space serves the community as a true cultural landmark of adaptive reuse.

The Project of Time – Restoration of the Former Church of San Barbaziano by Studio Poggioli

Guided tour: 1, 2 and 3 April 2026

1 April | 15:00–16:00 Guided tour inside and around the church.
2 April | 15:00–16:00 Guided tour inside and around the church.
2 April | 16:00–19:00 Church open to visitors with the presence of a cultural mediator.
3 April | 10:00–19:00 Church open to visitors with the presence of a cultural mediator.

Meeting point:

Ex Chiesa di San Barbaziano
Meeting location

◾ Organised by Studio Poggioli
◾ In collaboration with Regional Directorate of National Museums of Emilia-Romagna – Peripheral Institute of the Ministry of Culture

Language: Italian & English

Register here: Reserve your spot here