Salaborsa Library

The Salaborsa Library, in Bologna

The Salaborsa Library is a great public library of Bologna, installed in a building with a monumental glass roof. The Bologna audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this place of knowledge and life, whose glass floor reveals the vestiges of ancient Bologna.

The library on the vestiges of the ancient town

The Salaborsa Library is one of the most prized public libraries of Bologna, as much for its collections as for its setting. It is on the occasion of the nomination of Bologna as European Capital of Culture, in 2000, that the project of this space accelerated, in order to offer the Bolognese a great place of knowledge, reading and meeting. The library occupies an old building, formerly the seat of the Stock Exchange of the town, whose great central hall is topped with a magnificent glass roof that bathes the place in light. But the most striking particularity is found under the feet of the visitors: the glass floor of the central hall reveals the archaeological vestiges brought to light during the works, witnesses of ancient and medieval Bologna. A living and original place of culture, the Salaborsa Library links the past and the present of the town.

What to see

Here you discover the great public library installed in the former seat of the Stock Exchange, its great central hall topped with a magnificent glass roof, and above all its glass floor that reveals the archaeological vestiges of ancient and medieval Bologna brought to light under the hall, a project accelerated during the European Capital of Culture in 2000. The Salaborsa links past and present of Bologna. It is an original stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Salaborsa Library lies near Piazza Maggiore, in the heart of Bologna, reachable on foot. Access to the hall and the glass floor is generally free according to the hours of the library, which vary. It is best to check them before coming.

What does the glass floor of the Salaborsa Library reveal in Bologna?

The archaeological vestiges brought to light during the works, witnesses of ancient and medieval Bologna, visible under the glass floor of the central hall of the library, installed in the former seat of the Stock Exchange of the town.

Where is the Salaborsa Library?

Near Piazza Maggiore, in the heart of Bologna, in Italy.