Beneath the streets, squares, and porticoes that make up Bologna's urban geography, Bologna 's subsoil hides an intricate labyrinth.
Tunnels, passages, and underground passages that extend for dozens of kilometers and carry the secrets of historical events that originate in the times of Ancient Rome, span the Dark Ages, and bear witness to the great wars of the early twentieth century.
Although still unknown to most visitors and tourists, underground Bologna is one of the most evocative and fascinating sights the Emilian capital has to offer.
While on one side there's the Felsinea —as it was called in Etruscan times—a lively and energetic space where entertainment goes hand in hand with the region's typical industriousness, on the other lies underground Bologna : two parallel planes of reality capable of revealing two sides of the same coin. Given its mysterious quality, this is undoubtedly one of the must-see attractions in Bologna.
What to see in Bologna? Discover what's hidden in Bologna's underground world
Bologna 's underground still bears the marks of those who passed through it, built cities upon it , and wove historical narratives that still fascinate those who venture into its depths.
A formidable example of technical mastery: ancient civilizations built and exploited the network of underground Bologna to create a veritable maze of canals that, over time, gave their names to many of the streets on the surface.
Thanks to the waters of the Rhine and Savena rivers that fed its dense network of tunnels, Bologna 's subsoil became so much a part of city life that it allowed for the appearance of three ports, the most famous of which served as a link to the cities of Ferrara and Venice.
Now restored and largely accessible to visitors and tourists, the immortal waterworks of Bologna underground system represent a jewel of technical supremacy. Guided tours recount its history and allow visitors to relive eras of conquest and mystery. For those wishing to venture beneath Bologna, we propose three essential must-see stops for an unforgettable tour of Bologna's underground system.
Aposa River: the beating heart of city life
One of the suggested itineraries through Bologna 's underground allows you to explore what once constituted the course of the true protagonist of Bolognese city life.
The Aposa stream is the only natural waterway in the Emilian capital, and for this reason it was the source of much of the city's commercial and industrial fortunes over the centuries: it powered the city's wash houses, mills, silk factories, and dye works, of which it soon became the beating heart.
During the 17th century, the canals of underground Bologna through which the stream flowed were gradually filled in and spanned by bridges and other artificial structures to improve sanitation and create more space for new buildings, until they disappeared completely by the early 20th century.
Access to the stream is currently guaranteed thanks to reclamation work carried out in the late 1990s: two entrances, one in Piazza San Martino and the other in Piazza Minghetti, provide access to Bologna 's underground area , which preserves traces of the passage of various ancient civilizations where the famous stream once flowed.
Mario's Baths or Valverde Preserve
Erroneously identified in the 19th century as a spa built during the Republican era by the consul Caio Mario, the Conserva di Valverde actually has much more recent origins: it is in fact a Renaissance-era cistern built by Tommaso Laureti in 1631.
The proposed itinerary along this area of underground Bologna allows you to admire part of the extraordinary city renewal project ordered by Pope Pius IV: the Conserva in particular was conceived with the aim of draining and purifying the waters coming from the hills that would then be directed towards hydraulic structures built on the surface, one of the most famous of which is the Fountain of Neptune.
Structured on two levels of Bologna 's underground , a visit to the Valverde Conservation Area allows you to enter a splendid octagonal room surmounted by an imposing dome surrounded by eight small cavities designed to collect water.
Air raid shelters for civilians and military personnel
During the First World War, the architecture of Bologna underground system underwent a reconstruction program to make the canals and tunnels suitable for the protection of civilians and military personnel.
The construction of underground in Bologna designed to serve as shelters in the event of air raid warnings represented a fundamental operation for public and private safety.
Discover underground Bologna and other beauties
Want to see the beauty of Bologna with your own eyes and learn more about the history of underground Bologna?
Book your stay in the city now: our Hotel Maggiore can offer you the best choice of rooms or residences with a private quote that includes a range of customizable services (excluding the tourist tax). This way, you can visit Bologna and enjoy a complete experience of art, culture, history, and delicious food.
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