The ancient name of this town, "Unciola", occured the first time in a document dating back to 888 and it derived from the ancient tradition of dividing land in ounces or part of it, called by the diminutive "onciola". Time turned it into the current Anzola.

Anzola dell'Emilia is situated in the rich plane along the Via Emilia, in the west side of the Bologna territory. It is part of the area called Terre d'Acqua (Water Lands), crossed by the Samoggia River and bounded by two more rivers, the Reno and the Panaro. The rich flow of these rivers is at the same time a great richness and a great threat. The Terramara of Anzola is the symbol of the ancient connection between man and water.

No to be missed in Anzola is the Gelato Museum Carpigiani dedicated to the artisan ice cream history.

The 13th century Torre di Re Enzo is the only remaining evidence of the ancient castle of the Lords of these lands.

In Anzola, there are also some of the most ancient parish churches of the Province. It is worth visiting the Badia of Santa Maria in Strada in over a thousand years of history.

While in the county town the Chiesa di San Pietro e Paolo, whose medieval origins can be seen in the 13th century baptismal font.