Bononia the Roman city

Bologna, renowned for its medieval and Renaissance charm, also holds precious traces of its Roman past. Founded in 189 BC under the name Bononia, the city followed a strict urban layout typical of Roman colonies, with orthogonal streets and a well-defined structure. Today, by exploring Bologna and its surroundings, visitors can admire the remains of public buildings, paved roads, and exquisite mosaics, all testifying to the city's historical significance in the ancient Roman world.

Bologna’s historic center: streets, mosaics, and ancient artifacts

• Salaborsa archaeological excavations

In the heart of the city, beneath the modern Biblioteca Salaborsa, lie the remains of ancient Bononia. Here, visitors can observe Roman-era street layouts and the foundations of public buildings, including the basilica civile. A visit to these excavations provides a fascinating glimpse into the city’s historical layers.

• Civic Archaeological Museum

A must-visit for archaeology enthusiasts, the Civic Archaeological Museum holds an extensive collection of Roman artifacts, including funerary steles, monumental columns, and mosaics from Bononia's ancient domus. The museum also showcases a statue of Emperor Nero, discovered in the Roman Theatre.

• Museum of the History of Bologna, Palazzo Pepoli

The Museum of the History of Bologna in Palazzo Pepoli in Via Castiglione 10 houses an original fragment of the decumanus maximus of Via Aemilia, corresponding to today's Via Rizzoli, discovered in 1959. An exceptional archaeological find that still bears the chariot marks on the pavement.

• Decumanus maximus and the undergrounds of Palazzo Re Enzo

The ancient Via Aemilia ran through Bononia along the Decumanus Maximus, whose original pavement is visible in the undergrounds of Palazzo Re Enzo. Here, visitors can admire sections of the Roman road, a masonry sewer system, and fragments of imperial-era floor mosaics.

• Roman Theatre of Bologna

Located on Via Carbonesi, the remains of Bologna’s Roman Theatre stand as the oldest stone-built theater in local Roman architecture, dating back to the early decades of the 1st century BC. Later expanded and adorned with fine marble, the theatre served as an important cultural hub of the time.

• Palazzo Lupari and the mosaics of Bononia

Beneath the Palazzo Lupari store, a section of the Via Aemilia and a 2nd-century AD floor mosaic from a wealthy domus remain preserved. This site offers a stunning example of the elegance and sophistication of Roman dwellings in Bononia.

• The Complex of Santo Stefano’s Seven Churches

Within the Santo Stefano Complex, an inscription on the outer wall of the Church of the Crucifix indicates the existence of an Iseum in Bononia—a sacred temple dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis, believed to have been located near the Holy Sepulchre (the octagonal church next to the Crucifix Church). Inside the Church of Saints Vitale and Agricola, visitors can observe an Ionic capital, likely originating from the Forum Basilica.

© M. A. Ghilardi

Beyond the city center: exploring the roman sites around Bologna

• Claterna archaeological excavations (Ozzano dell’Emilia)

A few kilometers from Bologna, along the Via Aemilia, lie the ruins of Claterna, a Roman city that mysteriously disappeared in the 6th century AD. The Claterna Museum houses archaeological finds such as ceramics, coins, and everyday objects, offering a captivating journey into the past.

• Sacerno stele (Calderara di Reno)

Set in a picturesque landscape, the Sacerno Stele commemorates a pivotal event in Roman history: the 43 BC meeting between Octavian Augustus, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and Mark Antony to divide the empire following Julius Caesar’s assassination. A symbolic site for those interested in reliving the events of the Second Triumvirate.

• Domus del Rasoio (San Domenico Museum, Imola)

At the San Domenico Museum in Imola, visitors can admire the Domus del Rasoio, a recently discovered Roman residence. Its well-preserved mosaics and frescoes offer a fascinating glimpse into the daily lives of the local elite, providing an extraordinary window into the Imperial era.

• Roman cobblestones (Via degli Dei, Military Flaminia)

In the Apennines, don't miss the thrill of walking on the original Roman cobblestones of the Via Aemilia, set amidst the greenery. By following the trekking routes of the Via degli Dei (path leading from Bologna to Florence) and the Flaminia Militare (untraced path, still under study), you can immerse yourself in the nature of Bologna and live a timeless experience.