Imola has a Roman forum, many beautiful churches and a couple of museums, but you could be forgiven for making the only object of your visit here a trip to the world-famous Autodromo Dino Ferrari. Built in 1950 on the site of a Roman amphitheatre that would have witnessed many chariot races, the circuit hosts many racing events and also concerts throughout the year, but most importantly the San Marino Grand Prix. Imola is otherwise a nice quiet place to wander around, with an intact old centre and a grid of ancient narrow pedestrian streets opening into classic Italian piazzas complete with attendant bars, cafés and restaurants. SightsAutodromo Dino Ferrari information/tickets: piazzale da Vinci 1, T 0542 34116. Fri-Sun 0800-1900, http://www.autodromoimola.com Taxi: T 0542 28122 from the stand by the railway station or piazza Matteotti. For the Grand Prix the passionate tifosi (fans) of the home Ferrari team literally paint the town red. Situated about 30 km from Bologna, the circuit is well-signposted both from the A14 motorway and the centre of Imola. Rocca Sforzesca piazzale Giovanni delle Bande Nere, T 054-223472. May-Sep, Sat-Sun 0900-1200, 1500-1900, entry €2.50. The size and power of this fortress with its four squat towers like castles from a chess set seems incongruous in the context of modern-day Imola but in medieval times it was the residence of the powerful Sforza family. It was built between the mid-13th and 15th centuries, designed by Gian Galeazzo Visconti. Its purpose now is considerably more humble as a museum of armoury and medieval ceramics, and the occasional summer concert. Zoo Acquario via Aspramonte, T 0542-24180. Tue-Sat, 0900-1200, 1530-900, Sun 0930-1200, 1530-1900. Visitors looking for a day out with kids might be interested in heading for the tropical and marine fish and animals on display here.
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Bologna - £7.99
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