Church of San Barbaziano

A Historic Venue Reimagined in the Heart of Bologna.

Originally built between 1608 and 1612 by architect Pietro Fiorini, the former Church of San Barbaziano is entering a new chapter in its long and storied history. After being deconsecrated in 1806, the building served a variety of purposes—barn, military warehouse, workshop, and even a garage—until 1994.

Today, thanks to a significant conservation restoration, this unique historic space in Bologna is being revived with a fresh mission: to host cultural events and artist residencies focused on contemporary circus arts, dance, and music.

The venue will be known as ARCA – Accademia Rigenerata Circo e Arte (Regenerated Academy of Circus and Art), a cultural project curated by AICS Bologna and Eden ASD in collaboration with Diverserighestudio. While renovations are still ongoing, the space has already opened its doors to the public through several preview events: site-specific concerts by Michael Gira, Kristof Hahn, David Fenech & Pierre Bastien (2022); satellite events of the Robot Festival (2024); the art installation “La strage degli innocenti” by Per Barclay during Art City 2025; and the LIS-signed circus cabaret “Circo sotto la gru”.

Following ministerial guidelines, the restoration has preserved the authentic character of the building, highlighting its historical layers and stories.

San Barbaziano now stands as a true “storytelling building,” a place where time has left its mark—through fires (like the one in 1922), shifting functions, and community memories. A heritage returned to the city, ready to become a place of creativity, memory and urban regeneration.

Reach Us Sustainably:

San Barbaziano Church is located in the heart of Bologna’s historic center, between Via Cesare Battisti and Via Barberia. It’s just a five-minute walk from Piazza Malpighi, a major hub for urban bus lines and home to a RideMovi bike-sharing station. Several bicycle racks are also available in the surrounding streets, making it easy to arrive by bike.

Baraccano venue Anchor

Baraccano - Casa delle Associazioni

Located within the historic Baraccano Monumental Complex (1402) on Via Santo Stefano, the Casa delle Associazioni al Baraccano is a vibrant space dedicated to cultural, social, and educational life in the heart of Bologna’s historic center.

Open and inclusive, it hosts community-focused activities—cultural events, workshops, classes, sports sessions—and serves as a hub for various associations working together in a spirit of collaboration and coworking. The facility includes a bar with a furnished outdoor area and two indoor halls.

Its true gem is a leafy garden of over 1,000 square meters, which comes alive in the summer with the festival “I Giardini del Baraccano,” offering concerts, DJ sets, visual arts, talks, food events, and more. The main goal is to make the historic Baraccano Monumental Complex accessible to the public as a place for entertainment, cultural engagement, and collective life—while preserving its role as a social anchor in the neighborhood.

Reach Us Sustainably

You can reach Casa delle Associazioni by bus via lines 11, 30, 13, and 96. Bike racks are available atthe entrance, and a RideMovi bike-sharing station is located at Porta Santo Stefano.

A special thanks to:

AICS - Italian Association of Culture and Sport is a Social and Sports Promotion Organization active throughout Italy.

The Bologna Provincial Committee supports the activities of around 400 cultural and sports associations, manages sports facilities and multipurpose centers, and promotes initiatives, projects, and events in the fields of sports, culture, and social development.Our mission is to uphold everyone’s right to sport as a tool for education, integration, and health protection; to spread a culture rooted in knowledge, social connection, and well-being; and to actively promote Equal Opportunities and social inclusion.

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