San Lazzaro di Savena

San Lazzaro di Savena sits about 6 kilometers northeast of Bologna across a landscape of plains and gentle hills. Three waterways flow through the area: Zena creek, Idice river, and the Savena river.

The area began as a medieval leprosarium caring for patients isolated from society. By 1827, it became an independent municipality thanks to efforts led by Carlo Berti Pichat.

The name honors Saint Lazarus, reflecting its past as a refuge for people with leprosy during medieval times. This heritage shapes how locals understand their town's identity and role in caring for those in need.

The town connects easily to Bologna through public transportation and offers schools, medical clinics, and shopping centers. Visitors can find all essential services here and easily reach the city or the surrounding countryside.

The Parco dei Gessi Bolognesi contains roughly 50 interconnected caves that stretch over 6 kilometers. These underground spaces formed naturally through the dissolution of limestone and create opportunities for exploration.

Location: Metropolitan City of Bologna

Elevation above the sea: 62 m

Shares border with: Bologna, Castenaso, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Pianoro

Website: http://comune.sanlazzaro.bo.it

GPS coordinates: 44.47157,11.40486

Latest update: December 6, 2025 21:22