Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato

Bologna Centrale is Italy’s fifth-largst station in terms of size and traffic volume: approximately 78 thousand m2 through which an average of 159 thousand persons pass every day, 58 million per year. It is in piazza delle Medaglie d'Oro. With 700 trains per day and the numerous urban and extra-urban bus lines whose terminals are in the area around the station, it is located a strategic point of the national rail network, at the point where the main North-South and East-West lines intersect.

History

Bologna Centrale station was inaugurated in 1876, and thanks to its geographic location it has always been one of the main hubs of the Italian railways system. The central core, designed by architect Ratti of the Clementine Academy of Architecture, foresees a regular volumetrical layout with stylistic references to 15th century Florentine art. The façades, divided into two levels with ashlar-type facing, with a decorative cornice originally topped by a clock-tower, linked at road level by a shelter-roof supported on marble columns, built in the post-war period following the demolition of the original metal cantilevered roof.
Various enlargement works, such as the construction in 1926 of the west wing for the new head tracks and of the east wing in 1934, together with the post-war alterations, have altered its layout and appearance.

Present situation

Bologna Centrale is Italy’s fifth-largst station in terms of size and traffic volume: approximately 78 thousand m2 through which an average of 159 thousand persons pass every day, 58 million per year. With 500 trains per day and the numerous urban and extra-urban bus lines whose terminals are in the area around the station, it is located in a strategic point of the national rail network, at the point where the main North-South and East-West lines intersect.
The station is laid out on several levels and includes several different buildings:
• the basement floor, occupied by store-rooms, technical rooms and underpasses;
• the ground floor, at track level, features traveller services and commercial activities;
• the mezzanine floor houses a restaurant and some railways offices;
• the upper floors are used for railway personnel accomodation and offices.