Ex Manifattura Tabacchi, Industrial heritage building in Bologna, Italy
The ex Manifattura Tabacchi in Bologna is a large industrial complex designed by Italian architect Pier Luigi Nervi in the 1950s. The structure showcases functional design combined with distinctive construction elements typical of that era.
The complex began as a tobacco factory in the post-war years and was a significant part of Bologna's industrial landscape. Following the end of tobacco production, it was gradually transformed into a research and technology center.
The name reflects its past as a tobacco factory, marking a shift from industrial production to knowledge-based activities in the city. Today it represents Bologna's embrace of technology and research as drivers of contemporary life.
The site is located in an urban area and is accessible by public transportation, making it easy to reach. It is important to plan ahead if you wish to visit or arrange a tour, as certain areas are only open at scheduled times.
The site houses one of the world's leading research infrastructures for climate science and meteorology within a former tobacco factory building. This unexpected pairing shows how historical structures can be repurposed for entirely new functions.
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