The archaeological excavations under the covered square of Salaborsa I'm glad I got to visit them. if you have a way to the Salaborsa library, don't miss them, and if you don't have a way, do it. worth a visit the entrance is through the stairs on the left as you pass the guard at the entrance. access is free. donations are received, and it is worth considering that it is well maintained and beautifully presented. the staff is friendly and guides you. not speaking Italian I received a leaflet in English. I appreciate it.

Biblioteca Salaborsa was opened in 2001 in the north wing of Palazzo d'Accursio. Through the glass floor of the library, one can see the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Bononia, which date back to 189 BC, and Etruscan ruins from 7th century BC. The name "Salaborsa" is comes from "sala" (hall) and "borsa" (exchange), reflecting the historical use of the space as a market in the Middle Ages.

We have not been inside the library yet but rather hanging out outside since the weather was so nice when we were there. Here in the picture you can see how it looks from the outside. People, including us, really like to sit on the stairs there and relax or chat a little. The one star i would save for the next time when we can really see it.

A very smart and studious town needs a library to match. Turns out they did some renovations and found old Roman foundations below it. The medieval builders would just build over anything after destroying it. You can visit for free, the foundations were not visible when I was there this week as there was some presentation going on, as with most things Italian and in a square there's always something going on. Regardless, nice library, lots of books, nothing in English so I couldn't pretend I was just there to look inside the building.

This is a very unique and interesting library as it has very cool ruin’s underneath it. It has a glass floor so you can walk above and see below. You can visit the library and then take a visit inside the ruins. It’s very well preserved and maintained. It’s a nice historical landmark and I definitely enjoyed my time spent here. I would definitely recommend visiting this library and its ruins.

Arriving at the beautiful historic Piazza Nettuno immediately catches our eye the beautiful medieval Palazzo d'Accursio building ( Palazzo Comunale ). Biblioteca Salaborsa (Salabrosa Library) is located in one part of the Palace. The Salaborsa Library is the central public library opened in 2001 and provides a rich and fascinating cultural space inside the Palazzo d'Accursio, the ancient and historical seat of the city government. Its history is very interesting. In the thirteenth century, some Ghibella houses of late antiquity were built on this site above the Roman ruins. Among the builders are Francesco Accursio, a well-known lawyer at the Bologna School. The building then becomes a town hall. During Visconti's reign (1350 - 1360), the building was fortified because it had a house headquarters of troops that guarded the town hall, and converted Visconti into a true fortress. In 1568 Ulisse Aldrovandi transformed the inner garden into a botanical garden. Then began the cultivation of medicinal plants and exotic plants imported from all continents. Here Aldrovandi conducted the basic research that contributed to the creation of modern botany. In the meantime, a committee headed by Bologna entrepreneurs was set up, aimed at promoting the transformation of the indoor garden and cisterns into a space intended for the trade and market activities of the Bologna Stock Exchange, which had opened by then. Thus, between 1883 and 1886 on the site of the old garden built new Sala Borsa. Archaeological excavations carried out recently to restore Salaborsa revealed traces of public and religious buildings. They are visible to the public through a walkway and testify to the fact that the place has always been the center of public life in the city. There is an impressive wall perimeter of the Renaissance Terribilia tank, paved roads and foundations of the Roman basilica, the wall of the Medieval tower house and the star-shaped tub once at the center of the garden. In 1920, Salaborsa became a public restaurant, followed by the Bank with a Treasury (Cassa di Risparmio). After World War II and until the 1960s, the covered square served as a sports hall. This is where the Virtus Basketball Club originated. Today it is a beautiful and significant library.

Much cooler than the cathedral. Thus turn of the century building is in thr great condition and actually is in the great contrast to the rest of the central square. Some of the public rooms have such fancy items as replicas of Arne Jacobsen's Egg chair. (go Scandinavia!)

Great architectural conversion ... The library seems vast and with a wide range of books. The space seems great to work and study at, whilst offering a cafe within the same space.

It's the best public library. Spacial reading area with an attractive internal architecture

Highly recommended. Even foreigners also can register a library card for free at the information point. It is very convenient to look up literature, and borrow books.

Wonderfully beautiful, well restored and multifunctional place. The management would do well however to somehow solve the problem of that certain category of hopelessly unintegrated migrants, who're increasingly loitering in the rooms of this gorgeous library. This makes everyone else want to be there less, due to feeling uncomfortable and unsafe.

I could have spent all morning exploring this library... We limited ourselves to the Roman ruins beneath the main floor. Amazing building.

This is the best library in Bologna.If you are a traveller, don't miss the chance to enjoy your time there.In ground floor you will see archaeological view where people use to through coins to know their luck.You will find lots of books and movies(ground floor and second floor) here.If you have a library card, you can take these also.You can also sit there to read books and enjoy movies.In third floor you can know archaeological news of Bologna.Here is free wifi also and a little bar.Finally, if you are a book lover and want your mental piece you are cordially welcome here.❤

The largest public library in Bologna, build on top of Roman ruins. Thanks to its central location, this is the perfect spot if you're looking to rent a book. Alternatively, you can simply sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee and a good book on site. The archeological site is visible from the ground floor (through glass floors) but can also be visited at no cost. It's not a large site but there is plenty of history to read about on the hallway to and inside the site itself.

Brilliant place. Really helpful staff. Loads of exhibitions. Good cafe. Handy loos. What more do you want?

Biblioteca Salaborsa is really the perfect place when you need an area to boost your productivity given that it is well-maintained and well-managed plus the facilities it has to offer to the public! They have lots of tables and chairs to accommodate a generous amount of people and also gives an ambiance that is very conducive to learning. I would greatly advice this to students and also to the other people who just wants to read a book or do something productive.

Beautiful library. Great place to spend some time with kids browsing books. Multi lingual books available in kids department. Students studying on 2nd floor, people reading books, newspapers. Enjoyed absorbing the atmosphere

I went there after reading a page on internet about the Roman and medieval remains. A place not well known unfortunately. We have been twice the same day as my son loved it so much. And we we were the only one. The visit takes maybe 15min but very interesting. If you go down, have a look above your head to see people sitting in the upper main room of the Borsa. A great place I highly recommend

Opens after 2:30 pm on Mondays. Incredible library with a huge open feeling. Below the transparent tiles on the floor are ancient Roman ruins.