One day in town - Visiting Imola

Frequently asked questions

1) How far is the train station from the city centre? 
The distance from the train station to the town centre is about 700 mt; it takes only 10 minutes by foot.

2) Where can I park my car? Are there any parking area near the city centre?
The town centre is a pedestrian area so it is not possible to access with the car, but there are a lot of parking area a short distance away.  For example you can leave your car in Via Aspromonte, Viale Carducci, Piazza Bianconcini and Piazzale Ragazzi del ’99 and then reach the historical town centre in few minutes by foot.

3) Can I visit the museums? What are their opening hours?
In Imola there are three civic museums: Museo di San Domenico, Palazzo Tozzoni and Rocca Sforzesca (website imolamusei.it)

The Museo di San Domenico (Museum of Saint Dominic) contains the art collections of the city and the archaeological and naturalistic Museum ‘Giuseppe Scarabelli’.
The ‘City of Imola art collections’ is a visitor’s itinerary from the 14th Century to the present. It consists of over 600 works of art and items such as paintings, sculptures, liturgical furnishings, ceramics, coins, medals…  The ‘Giuseppe Scarabelli Museum’ was founded in 1857 and it is based on research and studies done by geologist and palaeontologist, Giuseppe Scarabelli. Together they form the chapters of an illustrated history of Imola – from the medieval period up to modern times – with direct reference to its places, events, tastes and lifestyle.

Opening hours:
Friday 3.00pm to 7.00pm, Saturday and Sunday 10.00am to 1.00pm and 3.00pm to 7.00pm; from 28th October 2023 to 18th February 2024 also open on Thursday 3.00pm to 7.00
Admission with fee
The site offers full access to the disabled

Palazzo Tozzoni (Tozzoni Palace) was donate to the town in 1981 by the last descendent of the Tozzoni family, Sofia Serristori Tozzoni. This aristocratic manor, which has been perfectly preserved, not just architecturally but also in the furnishings, offers the visitors a clear view of the life of a 18th Century noble family.

The Rocca Sforzesca (Fortress), a superb example of a fortified architecture of the Medieval and Renaissance period, was founded in the 13th Century. It hosts a collection of ceramics and weapons, all restored to their antique splendour, and correlated with clear captions describing the objects.

4) Are there any historical buildings, palaces, churches that can be visited on the weekdays?

In the centre there are various buildings of cultural interest open during the weekdays:

The Antique Convent of S. Francesco is one of the most important historical sites of Imola.  Built between 1360 and 1380 by the Franciscan friars, the convent was gradually transformed into a Public Library, since it already contained a precious collection of books.
Via Emilia 80

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 also 8.00pm to 10.00pm
(from 15/06 to 31/07 & from 22/08 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
(from 01/08 to 11/08)  from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 1.00pm ; Tuesday & Thursday also 2.15pm to 6.00pm
Admission free
Accessible to the disabled

The Cathedral of San Cassiano is located in the square which bears the same name. The original structure was built in the Romanesque style between the years 1187 and 1271, but underwent complete renovation in 1763 by Cosimo Morelli. Special attention should be made to the craftsmanship of the wooden benches, the 16th Century baptismal font and the beautiful wooden crucifix of the 15th Century.

Piazza Duomo 10
Opening hours:  7.30am to 11.30am and 4.00pm to 6.00pm

Concerning the other churches, the opening time coincide with the time of Mass

The Diocesan Museum consists of a rich collection of paintings, reliquaries, sacred vestments and precious sacred objects of art dating from 11th to 20th Centuries.
It is seat in the Bishop’s palace.

Piazza Duomo 1
Opening hours:
Tuesday and Thursday 9.00am to 12.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm ; Wednesday 9.00am to 12.00pm ; Saturday 10.00am to 1.00pm and 3.00pm to 7.00pm; Sunday 3.00pm to 7.00pm
Admission free
The site offers full access to the disabled

The Ancient Pharmacy oh the Hospital was inaugurated in 1776 and has fortunately remained intact in both the furnishings and the decorations thereby giving the visitor a vivid image of a pharmacy as it was in the 18th Century.
The pharmacy is still functioning and it is open to the public during the working activity.

Via Emilia 95
Opening hours:
from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 1.00pm and 3.30pm to 7.30pm;  Saturday 8.30am to 1.00pm
The site offers full access to the disabled

5) Is it possible to visit the racetrack?

The racetrack is generally closed to public (it is open only during the main events) but the main stand is always open (entrance on via Malsicura).
It is possible to visit the Paddock area, the track and doing a guided tour, in accordance with the various scheduled activities. In order to do this you can directly contact IF – Imola Faenza either by telephoning +39.0542.25413 or by sending an email to [email protected]

The circuit is situated very close to the city centre and it surrounds the Acque Minerali public park, open 24h a day. In the park you can visit the monument in memory of Ayrton Senna and just by walking around you can see quite a lot of the circuit and follow stretches of the race track.