Sara Turner uncovers a range of charming venues in the northern Italian city
With charm, history and stunning architecture, the Italian city of Bologna has many hidden treasures for meetings and events. As the seat of the oldest university in Europe, the city is confident in its heritage. It is also laidback and stylish in the way only Italy can be. The old city has plenty to explore and is easy to navigate, and even the suburbs are within a short cab ride.
Known as la Grassa (the Fat) among Italians, the city is also thought to have the best food in the country – quite an achievement for a nation of gourmands whose major export is their cuisine. Bologna’s restaurants and markets offer rich pickings, including mortadella pork sausage, tortiglioni pasta and possibly the most famous sauce in the world, ragú alla bolognese.
The fast-developing conference centres in the coastal town of Rimini and business capital Milan have taken some of Bologna’s limelight in recent years, but the city continues to offer state-of-the-art meeting space, as well as some more unusual venues for events.
Connected by high-speed rail to Milan and Rome, and with its international airport, Aeroporto G Marconi, only 20 minutes from the city centre, Bologna is also well-connected and looks set to become more so. The airport has seen a continued rise in passengers and has room to expand, while the main train station, Bologna Centrale, is undergoing a significant extension to add a dedicated high-speed rail hub, with plans for increased services.
PALAZZO DELLA CULTURA E DEI CONGRESSI/SALA MAGGIORE
The major conference and exhibition centres are located in the Fiera district and, in fact, give this area of the city its name – fiera means fair. A ten-minute taxi ride north but also easily accessible by public transport, the two main interconnected spaces for conferences are run by Bologna Congressi – Palazzo della Cultura e dei Congressi, and Sala Maggiore, which together make up the Nuovo Polo Congressuale. They have a combined seating capacity of 5,000.
The Palazzo, built in 1975 by architect Melchiorre Bega, is an international conference centre by design. There are two auditoria – the 1,400 sqm Europa has 600 seats, while Italia has 200. There is also a large foyer with a café, and five more rooms for smaller meetings.
Sala Maggiore, also built in the seventies, used to house Mambo (the Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna – see overleaf) until it was relocated to the city centre in 2007. It is very much a blank, white space, still reminiscent of a contemporary art gallery, so is ideal for putting your own stamp on. There are three areas for between 100 and 1,100 people. The ground floor has a reception space and cloakroom, while the first floor offers a 1,600 sqm area, and the high-ceilinged second floor has a balcony overlooking the first.
- 4a Piazza della Costituzione; tel +39 051 6375 111; bolognacongressi.it
CENTRO CONGRESSI SETTE GOLD
A fairly unusual option in the fair district is the Seven Gold Congress Centre. As you’ll see from outside the building, it is the Bologna headquarters of a number of TV and radio programmes, including Sette Gold, Nuovarete, Rete Otto, Punto Radio and Radio Italia Anni 60.
The auditorium, with red upholstered chairs, can seat up to 290 people. The production studios are also available for hire, as is a retro function room in the basement for up to 40 people. Although the building was constructed 18 years ago, as far as technology goes, it is pretty unbeatable. It can provide video-conferencing using a live feed direct from a studio, and the two meeting rooms have state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment.
- 49/5 Via dell’ Arcoveggio; tel +39 051 6389 145; centrocongressi7gold.com
CENTRO CONGRESSI CNR AREA DELLA RICERCA
A further option for events near Fiera is the CNR (National Research Centre), a 15-minute drive from downtown. It was built in 1996 for the research institutes housed here, which include physics, chemistry, biometeorology, marine sciences and nano technology. Since 2001, it has been open to the public for all types of functions.
The main entrance is a marble-floored grand foyer with a circular staircase. The main lecture theatre (room 105), with parquet flooring, can seat up to 418 people and has fixed auditorium-style seating. There are a further two auditoria, rooms 215 and 216, which can accommodate 85 in each. For smaller meetings, room 214 has a boardroom-style set-up with four tables facing each other and natural light, while room 213 has 35 seats theatre-style. All venues are equipped with audio-visual technology, wifi access and flip charts.
- 101 Via Gobetti; tel +39 051 6398 000; bo.cnr.it/congressi
PALAZZO RE ENZO
In the heart of the old city, Bologna Congressi also looks after the medieval Palazzo Re Enzo, the oldest part of which dates from the 13th century. The stunning stone building dominates the city’s main square, Piazza Maggiore. To get inside is something of a coup – while tourists may look curiously through the wrought iron gates into the courtyard, access is strictly limited to those partaking in events.
There are three conference rooms, the largest of which holds 420 people, and a further ten meeting rooms for up to 90 delegates. The largest venue, Salone del Podestá, is a dazzling space for a gala dinner or award ceremony. Overlooking the square, with frescoes, chandeliers and a high ceiling, it needs little in the way of lighting or decoration.
Sala degli Atti and Sala di Re Enzo, 430 sqm and 400 sqm respectively, overlook Via Rizzoli and Piazza del Nettuno, with its bemusing aquatic fountain (look out for the lactating sea nymphs). For these rooms, again the architecture speaks for itself. A nice option, especially on balmy evenings during the summer months, is to use the balcony for cocktails and canapés.
- Piazza Re Enzo; tel +39 051 6375 111; bolognacongressi.it
AULA MAGNA
Part of Bologna University, Aula Magna di Santa Lucia has a similar wow factor to Palazzo Re Enzo, and is located near the Two Towers. Bologna Congressi can organise events here, but its primary function is as the “Great room” (Aula Magna in Latin) of the university. It is here that students graduate, and where the professors congregate. As the oldest university in Europe, established in 1088, holding an event here will add a certain gravitas to the occasion.
A deconsecrated 17th century church, hence the name Santa Lucia, there are two auditoria suited to formal gatherings. The largest space, which is where the congregation would once have stood, can host up to 750 people – the seating is permanent and forward-facing, so can’t really be used for anything other than conferences. The smaller Aula Absidale, an apse to the east with floor-to-ceiling windows, can host up to 300 and has steeply graded seating rising up from the stage.
If you find yourself here for an event, try to slot in a quick visit to the ice cream shop down the road at number 44. La Sorbetteria Castiglione has the best gelati in the city – having tried a fair few, I’m willing to put my name to that claim. Try “dolce Emma”, with caramelised figs, for sheer indulgence.
- 37 Via Castiglione; tel +39 051 6375 111; lasorbetteria.it, bolognacongressi.it
AULA PRODI
Another university space available for hire is the atmospheric Aula Prodi, located in the heart of the city, in Piazza San Giovanni in Monte. It is a large hall with a capacity of 130 seated, off a central courtyard with an original 16th-century mural by Bartolomeo Cedi at one end. The building itself dates back to the 14th century and was originally a convent for the adjacent church. It later became a prison, until the university took it over and restored it to its former glory in 1994.
The venue also houses the palaeography, history and archaeology departments and, on an average weekday during term-time, it will be filled with young Italians waiting for lectures or meetings with elusive professors. Come evening, however, it makes for a stunning venue. The 900 sqm stone-paved courtyard can also be used to host drinks or a sit-down dinner.
- 2 Piazza San Giovanni in Monte; tel +39 051 2097 606; unibo.it
PALAZZO ISOLANI and CAFFE DELLA CORTE
This classic 15th-century Italian palazzo, owned by the Isolani family since 1671, is located on one of the most picturesque squares in the city, Piazza Santo Stefano. The church that gives the square its name is also known as the Sette Chiese (seven churches) as it is effectively seven structures built between the fifth and 13th centuries – it’s well worth a look.
Palazzo Isolani has nine rooms on the ground floor that can be hired together or individually, with a combined capacity of 440 for a sit-down dinner. Traditionally decorated in true Italian style, with oil portraits of late cardinals, rich frescoes and ornately painted ceilings, this venue is a real treasure. There is also a simpler room, known as the Cave, for 120 theatre-style in the basement, with white walls and an exposed vaulted brick ceiling.
Caffe della Corte is part of the same palazzo, and has a restaurant, courtyard bar and two rooms that can be used for private dining or meetings. The food is typical for this region of Italy and includes delights such as crescentini and tigelle – types of bread served warm with cheeses and cured meats.
- 16 Via Santo Stefano; tel +39 051 230 579; isolani.it
- 5/B Corte Isolani; tel +39 051 261 555; ilcaffedellacorte.it
MAMBO
For a departure from the city centre’s classical meeting venues, contemporary art gallery Mambo has an auditorium and restaurant (open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am to 2am), and offers expert guided tours for groups.
The gallery concentrates on Italy’s art story of the past 60 years, and hosts regular temporary exhibitions – there is one showcasing the work of film director Federico Fellini until July 25. The permanent collection includes the large-scale photographic work Sleeping by Gilbert and George, and the sculpture Grande Stele by Giuseppe Maraniello.
The minimalist auditorium, with white walls and grey chairs, can host up to 99 people theatre-style and has natural light. The restaurant, with retro wooden tables and leather sofas, has a relaxed atmosphere and can host 100 standing. It’s a good option for an informal lunch of cold meats, salad or a steaming bowl of pasta, or evening cocktails, which can also spread out into the high-ceilinged, white-walled lobby.
- 14 Via Don Minzoni; tel +39 051 6496 611; mambo-bologna.org
MEETING-FRIENDLY HOTELS
SHERATON BOLOGNA
Located practically on the runway of Aeroporto G Marconi, the 166-room Sheraton has extensive meeting facilities, with 13 spaces for four to 400 people. Among the largest, with natural light and access to the garden, is the 400-seat JF Kennedy room. The 92 sqm Concorde can host 90 people theatre-style, while the 51 sqm Heathrow, with direct access to an outdoor terrace, can host 40 people theatre-style. Rooms are sound-proofed to keep out any aircraft noise. Visit businesstraveller.com/tried-and-tested/hotels for a full review.
- 34/36 Via dell’ Aeroporto; tel +39 051 400 056; starwoodhotels.com
STARHOTELs EXCELSIOR
Located opposite the train station and the bus stop for Fiera, the Starhotels Excelsior is chic and sleek with a selection of meeting spaces. On the ground floor is the 50 sqm Sirio (holding 20 for a board meeting), and next to it the 51 sqm Pegaso and 67 sqm Vega (hosting 80 theatre-style in total), which can be joined together by removing a modular wall. In the basement, the 189 sqm Targetti (for 220 seated) divides into two and has its own foyer.
- 51 Viale Pietramellara; tel +39 051 246 178; starhotels.it
I PORTICI
One of Bologna’s newest hotels, I Portici (meaning “the porticos”, for which Bologna is famous) opened in late 2008 in a restored 19th-century building around the corner from the Starhotels Excelsior. It’s a real treat – contemporary yet infused with history – and features original art nouveau frescoes. An old theatre complete with a stage can host up to 110 theatre-style or 80 for dinner. The 200 sqm Salone delle Feste is stunning, with access to an outdoor terrace and the Montagnola Park. Four smaller meeting spaces include a late pope’s ice cellar – an unusual, if chilly, option for cocktails.
- 69 Via Indipendenza; tel +39 051 4218 568; iporticihotel.com
GRAND HOTEL BAGLIONI
For bona fide Italian glamour, the Baglioni is the city’s only five-star hotel and exudes refined opulence. Located on the same street as I Portici, it features original artwork from the 16th century. There are seven conference rooms, the largest of which holds 120 people. For private dining, the wine cellar Enoteca Morandi, part of the exclusive restaurant I Carracci, provides an unusual setting for up to 28 guests seated at a long table surrounded by fine Italian wine.
- 8 Via Indipendenza; tel +39 051 225 445; baglionihotels.com
NOVOTEL BOLOGNA FIERA
The newest hotel in the fair district, the two-year-old Novotel Bologna Fiera is a bright and breezy option for meetings. There is a 252 sqm ballroom for 300 delegates theatre-style, plus two rooms for ten to 35 people. The restaurant, overlooking the pool, can seat 186 people.
- 73 Via Michelino; tel +39 051 637 771; accor.com
