One of Imola’s main advantages is its rich historical heritage. The city’s origins date back to ancient Rome, and traces of its fascinating past can be seen in the well-preserved ruins and archaeological sites dotted around the area. Visiting the Rocca Sforzesca fortress is extremely interesting for history lovers, as this impressive structure dates back to the 14th century and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Moreover, fanatics know that the town is home to the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari race track, where the Formula 1 Grand Prix of San Marino was held from 1980 to 2006, and in 2020 the 2020 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was held.
Location:
Imola is located in the western entrance to the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy. It is part of the Metropolitan City of Bologna, even though it is approximately 40 kilometres south east of the province of Bologna. This small town sits on the river Santerno.
RACE TRACK:
Imola Track – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
The popular Imola Circuit, or rather Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, is a race track located not far from Imola. It is 40 km east of Bologna and 80 km from the Ferrari factory in Maranello and about 42 km from Forli. The circuit was named after its founder – Enzo Ferrai and his son Dino. Formula 1 came to Imola in 1980.
Due to the reconstruction of Monza, the race organizers had to find a replacement track that would allow for the organization of the Italian Grand Prix. Since then, the Imola circuit has regularly organized races for the San Marino Grand Prix. The last race of the San Marino GP took place here in 2006.
Today, the Impla Circuit is a venue for organizing numerous events, which means that this place is eagerly visited not only by F1 fans. The Imola circuit is also within reach of tourists traveling. Passengers planning to participate in events and activities organised at the Imola Circuit are encouraged to book tickets in advance.
INTERESTING BUILDINGS:
Rocca Sforzesca Castle
Sforzesca Castle was built in the first half of the 14th century, partly on the foundations of a residential tower from the 11th century.
The Rocca Sforzesca is an ideal hinge between Imola’s hilly. The high curtain walls have four circular towers at the corners and, past the drawbridge, one enters the first courtyard and the adjoining Courtyard of Arms, where military exercises once took place. In the centre, linking the two courtyards is the tall donjon tower. The tour starts in the dungeon, where cannons and guns are stored, and ends in the dungeon, where graffiti can still be seen on the walls of those who were held prisoners there from the 15th century until the 1950s.
Palazzo Tozzoni
Palazzo Tozzoni was built around the 18th century. It is one of the residences of the noble Tozzoni family in Imola. The building has late Baroque features and structures and preserves in its rooms books and antique volumes kept on the ground floor. Since 1981, the palace has been transformed into a municipal museum after being transferred to the city in 1978.
The palace offers a rich exhibition programme, which includes an important gallery of paintings, objects of applied art, furnishings, family memories and a collection of ethnographic materials, allowing us to appreciate, in a substantially intact context, the dialogue between the rooms and the furnishings, between the structures and the decorations.
Palazzo Riario poi Sersanti
On the main square there is this palace from the 15. century. With its arcades there is always a good place to sit in the café and watch the people walking.
Palazzo Comunale
The construction of the Town Hall, built where the Via Emilia and the Via Appia meet, began in the first decades of the 13th century: in fact, the first municipal house was already present in 1214. Traces of that era can be seen on the façade facing Via Emilia, in which some gray sandstone capitals survive. In 1230, with the purchase of an adjacent house, a tower was incorporated into the palace which became the municipal tower.
Sforza Castle in Dozza
Imola hills discover a fortress of Dozza was a medieval castle which Caterina Sforza turned into a fortified fortress but it is also provided with noble apartments.Caterina used to live here during her journeys across Romagna. Particularly impressive are the well of blades, a deep pit with knives stuck along the tunnel edges in which prisoners were thrown, the torture room and the well preserved castle kitchen. Moreover the panorama from the high towers it’s a beautiful view!
Ayrton Senna monument
The Ayrton Senna Memorial is a monument dedicated to the Brazilian driver. It was located in Acque Minerali Park on 26th April 1997.Is located at the Tamburello corner, where Ayrton met his destiny during 1994 San Marino GP, on 1st May.
This corner celebrating the memory of Senna has become a pilgrimage destination for Ayrton’s fans and F1 lovers from all over the world. The net dividing the track from the park is covered in flags, photos, messages and memories from fans.
Imola is an interesting city that is certainly worth visiting during your trip to Italy. Although mass tourism has not yet touched this city, well-known travel agencies willingly include it in their trip offers. Everyone will find something interesting here, and walks surrounded by valuable monuments will provide every lover of long journeys with an unforgettable experience.
