By Air

Bologna is directly connected with numerous major cities in Europe including frequent daily flights with certain destinations through the convenient Bologna Guglielmo Marconi International Airport. The airport lies six kilometres northwest of the city. The recently renovated airport has all major facilities such as moneychangers, a bank, post office, ATMs, car hire desks and two VIP lounges. The Aerobus shuttles connect the airport with the city centre, running every 20 minutes, with a 20-minute journey time.

By Rail

The Bologna Station, or Bologna Centrale, is located at Piazza Medaglie d'Oro, north of the city centre, and is a major hub and transit point along the national rail network, with fairly reliable and punctual service across all lines. The national Eurostar line connects with Milan, Florence, Rome and Naples, while the Eurocity line links to more than 40 European destinations including Paris and Brussels. The Trenitalia state railway service offers cheaper fares, with five classes of trains categorised by speed and the number of stops.

By Bus

A coach is available from London’s Victoria Station for the 24-hour journey to Bologna, terminating at the coach station in Piazza Settembre, near the train station, north of the city centre. Bus services also connect to Milan and Ancona in the south, and regional Pullman buses run to Ferrara and Modena.

Morandi Museum, Basilica of St Petronius, Leaning Towers, St Dominics Church, Bevilacqua Palace

Morandi Museum

In 1993 the Morandi Museum was opened on the upper floor of the Palazzo d'Accursio. On display are over 200 paintings, water-colors, drawings and etchings by the Bolognese painter G. Morandi (1890-1964), mainly donated by his family. His studio has also been reconstructed here together with his extensive library.

Basilica of St Petronius

The south side of the Piazza Maggiore is dominated by San Petronio, the largest church in Bologna, which is dedicated to the town's patron saint. Begun in 1390 it was not completed according to the original plan, work being suspended about 1650 after the construction of the nave. The sculpture on the main doorway of the unfinished facade is by Jacopo della Quercia (1425-38). The interior ranks as the supreme achievement of Gothic architecture in Italy. Note the pieta by Amico Aspertini (1519) and the various wall-paintings.

Leaning Towers

In the middle of the Piazza di Porta Ravegnana in Bologna are the Leaning Towers, two plain brick towers (Torre degli Asinelli and Torre Garisenda) originally built for defensive purposes, which have become a landmark and an emblem of the city. The Torre degli Asinelli (1119; 498 steps), 97.6m/322ft high, leans 1.23m/4ft from the vertical; the Torre Garisenda (begun end of 11th century), 48m/158ft high, is 3.22m/10.75ft aslant.

From the Piazza di Porta Ravegnana five streets radiate to the gates on the east side of the town - Via Castiglione, Via Santo Stefano, Strada Maggiore, Via San Vitale and Via Zamboni.

St Dominics Church

On the south side of the Piazza San Domenico in Bologna is the church of San Domenico (begun c. 1221; façade unfinished), with an interior remodeled in Baroque style, containing the tomb of St Dominic (d. in Bologna 1221), a marble sarcophagus with carving by Nicola Pisano, Arnolfo di Cambio and Fra Guglielmo (1267); cover by Niccolò dall'Arca (d. 1494); the angel on the right, the figure of St Petronius on the cover and the youthful St Proculus (to rear) are early works by Michelangelo (1494). Fine intarsia (mosaic woodwork) choir-stalls (1541-51).

 Bevilacqua Palace

In Via d'Azeglio, is the Palazzo Bevilacqua, built in 1474-82 in the Early Renaissance style of the Florentine palaces, with a fine courtyard and a beautiful facade.

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January - February -> 6(°C) - Winter
July - August -> 25(°C) - Summer

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