The Public Library is situated in what used to be the antique 13th century convent of S. Francesco.
It was renovated between the years 1749-1762 by the architect Alfonso Torreggiani, from Bologna, and then by Cosimo Morelli, from Imola.
They designed the imposing staircase leading to the first floor and the refined Aula Magna which was originally destined to host the library of the convent.
At the end of the 18th century, during the Napoleonic abolition of the convents, the religious libraries were confiscated by the government and the one of S. Francesco, which was the largest and the richest, acquired all the others of the town. In 1811 the Libreria di S. Francesco became a part of the municipal organisation and during the 18th and 19th century grew rapidly thanks to the many private donations.
Today the library contains more than 500.000 volumes and multimedia documents. The recent renovations have permitted to open on the ground floor large halls with open shelves dedicated to Italian and foreign fiction, non-fiction and essays, tourist guides, magazines and newspapers.
The archive room is reserved for the study of manuscripts, rare books and various documents.
Public Library
via Emilia 80
tel. 0542.602636
e-mail: [email protected]
web: Bim
Accessible to the disabled
Opening hours:
(from 15/09 to 14/06)
Monday & Saturday 8.30am to 1.00pm
from Tuesday to Friday 8.30am to 6.45pm
Tuesday evening also 8.00pm to 10.00pm
(from 15/06 to 14/09)
from Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 1.00pm
Tuesday also 2.15pm to 10.30pm
Thursday also 2.15pm to 7.00pm
Variable summer closing during August
Last Updated: 03/02/2023