guided tour of the historical centre

A walk through the enchanting centre of Imola is the best way to get to know the town.

Starting from the Rocca Sforzesca (1), you can admire one of the best examples of military architecture of the region. The fortress today is the Renaissance version that Riaro Sforza renovated during his reign. Inside there are the collections of medieval ceramics, armour suits and weapons from the 15th to the 20th centuries.
Exiting the fortress you go down F.lli Bandiera which leads to the Via Emilia, the antique decumano massimo.
This main road is lined with refined and elegant buildings: for example at number 25 there is the Palazzo Machirelli (2), in Renaissance style, next at number 29 the 14th century home of Benvenuto Rambaldi (3), famous commentator of the Divine Comedy. Once you reach the intersection with Via Verdi at number 7 is the entrance of the Scarabelli Museum (4). It was inaugurated in 1857 thanks to the work of the geologist and palaeontologist Giuseppe Scarabelli, native of Imola. At the entrance is the State Record Office.
On one side of the museum, under the 19th century gallery, there is the entrance of the Teatro Comunale (5), inaugurated in 1811. The setting is an elegant late baroque style with seating in posh red velvet which can accommodated about 500 people. The 19th century facade of this building hides the fact that this once was the entrance of a large 14th century church, which together with the lower church and convent once made up the Complex of S. Francesco (6), and are now the town theatre and the public library, which can be entered at number 80 on the Via Emilia. Visiting the inside of the library you can admire the restored frescos, the rooms of the inferior church and the elegant rooms of the 18th century.
On returning to the Via Emilia at number 69 your attention is attracted by the impressive 16th century Palazzo Monsignani (7) which once belonged to the influential Sassatelli family, who from this area commanded the raids against the opposing groups of the Vaini. Proceeding at number 95 you cannot but stop to admire the inside of the 18th century Farmacia dell'Ospedale (8 the Pharmacy) still intact with the 400 majolica vases of local design. On the other side of the street there is the elegant facade of the Palazzo della Volpe (9 Albergo El Cappello) ordered by Girolamo Riaro, completed in 1484, to host his illustrious guests.
Following Via Orsini to the corner of Via Quarto you must stop to admire the attractive gothic portal of the Chiesa di S. Domenico (10) and continue straight through the gardens and on the left you will admire the Convents of San Nicolò and San Domenico (11) which host the Pinacoteca Comunale (the Municipal Art Gallery 12). This ex-convent, constructed in the 13th century, was the home of the Dominican Friars until the arrival of the French troops in 1797. The collection of the Pinacoteca which occupies the second cloister, recalls the local artistic activity from the 14th to the 20th centuries, artists such as Innocenzo da Imola, Lavinia Fontana, Della Volpe and Margotti.
Going back through the gardens to left you will reach the Chiesa di Valverde over which there is the 18th century Oratorio di S. Rocco (13). Upon reaching Via Appia, on the left you will notice the 16th century Bastioni di Porta Appia (14), the remains of the old gates of the Piolo gate. Going straight towards the centre at the crossroads with Via Cavour, on the left hand side, the coat-of-arms indicates that this is the 18th century Palazzo Ginnasi. In Via Cavour you can also observe the Florentine style facade of the 15th century Palazzo Calderini (15). At number 18 of Via Appia is the 13th century Palazzo Pighini (16), the only example of medieval patrician family home remaining in Imola.
You have now reached the centre of the town: in front is the Torre del Comune (Town Hall Tower), where there is the 19th century clock which was a gift from a French Officer who upon reaching Imola with Napoleon's troops decided to settle here. Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall 17) has always been the seat of the administrative power and it dates back to the 13th century, but throughout the centuries has been renovated, and today the 18th century facade overlooks Piazza Matteotti (18). Two arcades in sandstone on either side of the square have always hosted shops of various types. One of these arcades is under the magnificent Palazzo Sersanti (19), which is the most representative building of Renaissance architecture of Imola. Today it houses the Margotti Collection, paintings by the local artist Anacleto Margotti. Following the Via Emilia towards east, on the corner of Via Cosimo Morelli is the Chiesa di Santa Maria in Regola (20) with its Romanesque bell tower, and further in Piazza Mirri is the Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Servi (21) with its portal decorated with the coat-of-arms of the ancient families of Imola.
Going down Via dei Mille, towards the centre, at number 26 is Casa Gandolfi (22), in Renaissance style, hosting the Centro di Documentazione sulla Resistenza Antifascista (CIDRA - Antifascist Resistance Documentation Centre).
Crossing the Via Emilia to Via Garibaldi you will find at number 18 one of the most fascinating museums of Imola: Palazzo Tozzoni (23) 18th century home of the aristocratic family Tozzoni and which today still remains intact in all its splendour. Continuing on Via Garibaldi you will arrive at the Duomo di S. Cassiano (24 Cathedral), which occupies almost the entire square. In front is the 18th century Palazzo Vescovile (25 the Bishop's Palace) which houses the Museo Diocesano and the Archivio Diocesano (Museum and Archive of the church). Nearby along Via Don Bughetti is the 15th century Casa della Volpe (26), home of the famous Captain of the Army Taddeo della Volpe and later seat of pawnbrokers for about three centuries. Next to the Cathedral is Via Bixio which leads to the 15th century Porta Montanara (27) and from there crossing Piazza Bianconcini you will reach the entrance of the Renaissance Chiesa di S. Michele and Convento dell'Osservanza (28). In this convent you can admire a valuable Pietà composed by seven statues in terracotta which date back to the end of the 15th century and is known by the local people under the name "I Piagnoni".