Bologna, the head town of Emilia Romagna district, is in the Padana plain at 54 m above sea level. It has 400,000 inhabitants. The city, originally called Felsina, was founded in the 6th century B.C. by the Etruscans. From the medieval centre of the city still surrounded by walls at the beginning of the XX century (due to the modern city expansion, they were partly pulled down) the streets open radially on the Roman town geometriacal urban network. Bologna is famous for its monuments among those the Two Towers Asinelli and Garisenda, the church of the patron saint of the city, San Petronio and for its 40 km of porticoes (building archades), really something unique.
Bologna is also a very important commercial and industrial city being at the centre of the railway system. Many important trade exhibitions are held in town throughout the year.
Bologna is also a very lively city due to the University of Bologna, the many cultural events held here and for all types of entertainment offered.

Getting there

By car: click here.
By train: Bologna is one of the most important train junctions in Italy, go to the Ferrovie dello Stato web site to find out your route.
By plane: The Bologna Airport web site offers many services for travellers and it is really easy to surf. You can also call Marconi Airport, phone n° +39 0516479615 .
In pullman: Bologna is connected to an efficient national and European coach transport service. Go to the autostazione di Bologna web site for coach timetables.

Getting around

From 6:00 to 20:00 cars with residential permits (or with other special permits) are allowed to move within the city centre surrounded by the old walls. From 20:00 to 6:00 all cars are allowed to drive around the old centre of the city. May we give you some advice: the best thing to do, is to park your car beyond the “Circonvallazione” ring road, that goes round the city walls, and get to the heart of the old city by public transport or by foot, so you can walk under the typical porticoes (building archades) and see all the historical palaces. Nearby the “Circonvallazione” ring road you can find parkings. Here is a the list.
By bus: ATC bus company (for further information about public transports dial 051.290290).
By train : Suburbana Bologna - Vignola.
By taxi: the two main companies are, CO.TA.BO (tel. +39 051.372727), C.A.T. (tel. +39 051534141). Here’s a list of the taxi stations.

Useful phone numbers

Click here to find some useful phone numbers.

Weather forecast

Click here to find out what’s the weather like today in Bologna and will it be in the next few days.