Ozzano fa Storia
Conferences, workshops, guided tours, and trekking around the Roman city of Claterna
About Ozzano fa Storia
A Review Dedicated to the History Beneath Our Feet
A few kilometers from Bologna, along the ancient Via Emilia, the Municipality of Ozzano dell'Emilia preserves one of the most significant archaeological sites in Emilia-Romagna: the Roman city of Claterna. Every spring, the Ozzano fa Storia review transforms this heritage into a grand collective narrative, made up of conferences, workshops, guided tours, and walks in the territory. It's an opportunity to rediscover the roots of a community and to understand how great history is truly preserved right beneath our feet.
Claterna, the "Pompeii of the North"
Founded in Roman times along the Via Emilia, Claterna is a rare site because it was never rebuilt upon from the medieval period onwards: its remains—the theater, the domus of the mosaics, the paved streets—emerge almost intact. Since 2022, the Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape for the Metropolitan City of Bologna has launched a research and enhancement project with ministerial funding, which has brought to light important discoveries. The review was created precisely to share these studies and discoveries with the public.
What Awaits You
- Conferences with archaeologists and scholars on the research project and the history of the territory.
- Educational workshops for adults and children, from watercolor to experimental archaeology.
- Guided tours of the excavations of the Roman theater and the domus of the mosaics, coordinated by the Superintendence.
- Trekking and walks to discover the historical landscape, from the hills of Settefonti to the ancient remains.
- Claterna Attiva, the day of living archaeology with the reconstructed Roman camp.
An Event for Everyone
The review is promoted by the Municipality of Ozzano dell'Emilia in collaboration with the Superintendence ABAP of Bologna and is part of the broader context of the International History Festival, which involves the entire Bologna area each year. The events are designed for families, history enthusiasts, and curious individuals of all ages, largely with free admission. For Ozzano dell'Emilia, a municipality in the Province of Bologna overlooking the first Apennine hills, it is also a way to tell its own identity and its deep connection with the Roman past.
Ozzano fa Storia — edition 2026
The 2026 edition opened on Saturday, April 11 with the conference "Archaeology in Claterna: A Bridge Between Past and Future", dedicated to the project launched in 2022 by the Superintendence ABAP of Bologna with ministerial funding. The weekend of April 12 featured, in the morning, the restitution conference of the Reuse Italy project on the Church of Santa Maria Assunta of Settefonti, with the awarding of the three winning projects and the inauguration of the exhibition at the Palazzo della Cultura; in the afternoon, the workshop "Memories in Watercolor: History Meets Painting" at the Museum of Claterna. The review continued until May with further events, culminating in the Claterna Attiva day on May 9.
Programme Ozzano fa Storia 2026
Saturday, April 11 — Opening
- Conference "Archaeology in Claterna: A Bridge Between Past and Future": presentation of the project by the Superintendence ABAP of Bologna on the Roman city, launched in 2022 with ministerial funding.
Sunday, April 12 — Morning
- Restitution conference of the Reuse Italy Project dedicated to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta of Settefonti, with the awarding of the 3 winning architectural projects.
- Inauguration of the project exhibition at the Palazzo della Cultura.
Sunday, April 12 — Afternoon
- Workshop "Memories in Watercolor: History Meets Painting" at the Museum of the Roman City of Claterna, organized by the Association Per Le Arti Figurative.
Saturday, May 9 — Claterna Attiva
A day of living archaeology at the archaeological site of Claterna, with the reconstruction of a faithful Roman camp to relive the daily life of a 1st-century AD legion:
- Educational banquets
- Archery and catapult shooting
- Legionary dressing
- Guided tours of the excavations of the Roman theater and the domus of the mosaics, coordinated by the Superintendence of Bologna
- Workshops and readings for children
The review continued with other events until May 10. For the complete details, the attached flyer was available on the official website.
Highlights Ozzano fa Storia 2026
Prices Ozzano fa Storia 2026
Practical information — Ozzano fa Storia
Where
The events take place at the Palazzo della Cultura, the Museum of the Roman City of Claterna, and the archaeological site of Claterna, in Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), along the Via Emilia between Bologna and Imola.
How to Get There
By car: from the A14, exit Ozzano dell'Emilia, or along the SS9 Via Emilia. By train: Ozzano dell'Emilia station on the Bologna–Rimini line, then a short journey to the center and the site.
Admission and Reservations
Most events are free to enter. For some activities, such as guided tours and Claterna Attiva, booking is mandatory by writing to [email protected] or calling 051 791337.
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Where does it take place — Ozzano fa Storia
Sito archeologico della città romana di Claterna