Via Indipendenza (Independence Street), Bologna (must see)

Via Indipendenza, as we know it today, emerged in the 1880s, tracing the path of the ancient Roman Cardo Maximus to forge a vital link between the city center and the railway station. This bustling thoroughfare serves as a prime promenade, particularly the stretch extending from the Arena del Sole Theater to the crossroads of Via Rizzoli and Via Ugo Bassi.

It's a street of juxtapositions, where epochs collide harmoniously. Medieval and Renaissance buildings rub shoulders with faux antique 19th-century structures; high-end boutiques share sidewalks with street stalls; the world of business blends with the world of shopping.

Amidst this tapestry, don't overlook the Majani building, or "Palazzina Majani", an exemplar of Art Nouveau elegance crafted in the early 19th century to house the café and chocolate shop of the renowned Majani factory. While it now hosts a budget clothing retailer, its architectural finesse remains captivating – take note of the floral motifs adorning the portico capitals and wrought iron balconies.