Bologna Ancient Tarots Tour

2.5 Hours Private Walking Tour

Bologna Ancient Tarots Tour
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Itinerary
  • Location
  • Things to keep in mind

The Tarocchino Bolognese, an ancient card game, is more than just a tool for divination. When consulted with care, it holds the power to reveal not only our innermost selves but also the path we must follow in life. But what can this mystical deck of cards tell us about its birthplace—Bologna?

As you journey through the city, the Tarot will reveal extraordinary stories of rebellious students, heretics, and saints who once roamed these very streets. However, finding the figures depicted in the cards is no simple task. Some are proudly displayed for all to see, while others are more elusive, hidden or even disguised, almost as though they wish to remain unnoticed by passers-by.

Led by Vanessa Cossu, a scholar and author of the Tarocchino Bolognese, this immersive experience will introduce you to the twenty-two Trionfi (Triumphs) of the deck. Vanessa will guide you to their sometimes hidden locations throughout the city, weaving in captivating stories and symbolic meanings that only an expert like her can reveal.

Get ready for a journey through Bologna’s hidden corners, untold histories, and fascinating connections, as seen through the mystical lens of the Tarocchino Bolognese.

Coupons

About

About The Host

Vanessa

Vanessa

Born in Cagliari, Sardinia, in the 1970s, Vanessa Cossu discovered her passion for Tarot in high school, thanks to a dear musician friend who introduced her to the world of historical card decks. Over the years, her approach to Tarot has evolved into a positive and creative practice, leading her to develop her own method—The Mirror—a unique four-card solo reading technique designed for self-reflection.

Rather than predicting the future, Vanessa focuses on emotions, interpreting the cards as if she were reading the "news section" of a very special newspaper—one that reflects the present moment and inner feelings of the person in front of her. Her deep love for symbols and visual language allows her to see each card as a gateway into a rich, artistic world, making Tarot a deeply visual and aesthetic experience.

Vanessa holds a degree in Modern Literature and has a passion for dance, performance, and yoga, which she also teaches. Since 2016, she has worked as a guide, leading experiences that focus on well-being and the unconventional aspects of the cities she loves—Bologna and Cagliari.

In 2019, her life changed forever with the birth of her son, Daniel—a moment that set her on a path of deeper self-awareness and inspired her to create a project connecting Bologna and Cagliari, her two beloved cities.

While wandering through city streets, Vanessa often encounters hidden tarot symbols—not just in Bologna but wherever she goes. It's as if places speak to her through signs, engravings, and playing cards. This serendipitous connection is what led her to create the Bologna Ancient Tarots Tour—an alternative way of experiencing the city through the lens of Tarot, history, and art.


Itinerary

Location

Things to keep in mind