Medicina - Bologna

Medicina travel guide

Medicina is a town of 16,878 inhabitants in the province of Bologna. Its name derives from Latin and means "place where one medicates, one cures." As shown by many archaeological finds, the area was already inhabited in pre-Roman times. Given its position on the border between the Exarchate of Ravenna and Bologna, it has experienced alternating political fortunes; it was part of the territories of Countess Matilda of Canossa, before passing under the control of the Papal States until Italian Unification.

WHAT TO SEE AND WHAT TO DO

Walking around Medicina one can admire the Town Hall, originally a Carmelite Convent, which has been expanded and restored several times over the years; the Clock Tower, built on a corner of the Podestà’s palace, with a 17th-century maiolica dial from Faenza, a unique known example. Very interesting is the Church of Carmine, from 1600, inside which one can admire beautiful paintings from the 18th century.
Medicina, with its mere 20 kilometers separating it from Imola, can be fully included within the Motor Valley territory, so known now everywhere for hosting all the main car and motorcycle manufacturers, such as Ferrari and Lamborghini, just to name a few. How much these places are linked to the world of motors is demonstrated by the numerous themed vacation packages that can be found on many dedicated websites, which allow organizing test drives on sports cars at one of the many racetracks in the area (there are five of them, as well as eleven kart tracks), but also sports driving courses. In addition to the numerous official and private collections, within the Motor Valley one can also find many museums that display peculiarities related to the world of motors. Near Medicina, for example, there is the Museum of the Idice Valley, in Budrio, with interesting exhibitions that concern the motor industry of the Bolognese territory.

EVENTS AND MANIFESTATIONS

There are so many events that take place in Medicina throughout the year: at the beginning of July there is the Onion Festival, this year at its 17th edition, with tastings, exhibitions of agricultural machinery, both from the past and modern, wine and food stands and live music; in mid-September there is Il Barbarossa, now a famous medieval historical reenactment with parades in costume, flag-waving shows, falconry demonstrations and duels; at the end of the festival the Serpent Palio takes place. During the Christmas period, Medicina dresses up for the Christmas Market, with stands of local handicraft and nativity scene exhibitions.
The typical product of Medicina is the golden, white or red onion.

useful Info & Contacts

Tourist Information Office
Medicina
Via del Commercio, 4/Z - 40023 Castel Guelfo di Bologna (BO) c/o Castel Guelfo The Style Outlets.
Tel: +39 0542 670765
www.imolafaenza.it

Town Hall of MEDICINA
Via Freedom, 103 - 40059
Tel. +39 051 697 9111
www.comune.medicina.it

OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS
A.S.L. (Local Health Authority) SANTA MARIA DELLA SCALETTA hospital via Montericco 4 IMOLA
Tel.: +39 0542 66 2711

EMERGENCY ROOM Tel. 118