Its name has all the history and beauty of this land: "Gal" in Celtic means border and "Lyr" water. Some experts think Galeria, its ancient name, comes from the arches built along the road to commemorate the victory over the Gauls. Some others think it was the name of the Roman Emperor Antonino Pio's wife who introduced a benefit to the county poor children.
Galliera, a meeting point for the waters of the Reno, the Emiliano-Romagnolo canal and the Napoleonic Tunnel, is immersed in gentle countryside enclosed by the sinuous lines of embankments.
Its territory consists of three inhabitations which together make up a single Council: Galliera Vecchia, San Venanzio and San Vincenzo.
In San Venanzio, opposite the church, there is Palazzo Bonora originally the residence of the Bonora family, agrarian merchants who for decades successfully managed the patrimonial estate of the "Duchy of Galliera".
Between Galliera, Pieve di Cento and Sant'Agostino (Province of Ferrara) there stretches a great natural monument, of notable environmental interest: the Bisana flood-plain woods, an example of humid river bank forest, once widespread across these lowlands.
More information
- Distance from Bologna: 30 Km.
- Altitude: 11/21 m.
- Inhabitants: 5.439 (updated to January 1st 2016)
- Market day: Wednesday morning in San Venanzio; in Summer time also Thursday afternoon in San Vincenzo Patron Saint: San Venanzio (May 18th)
- Hamlets: San Venanzio and San Vincenzo
Recurring events
- August fair: early August, in San Venanzio
The text is taken from
Guide to the province of Bologna - Valley itineraries
How to get to Galliera
By car
- Roads from Bologna: SS 9 Via Emilia in the direction of Modena, after Borgo Panigale turn right into SP 568 Persicetana till San Giovanni in Persicelo; get onto SP 255 Via Cento-Via Fanin up to Sant’Agostino, then Strada Comunale till Galliera. Otherwise SP 4 till San Pietro in Casale and through Sant’Alberto up to Galliera
- Motorways from Bologna-Ferrara: A13 Motorway, exit Altedo, take Strada Comunale till San Pietro in Casale and turn towards Galliera.
By bus
From the Bologna bus station, TPER public transport company (information on timetables and fares www.tper.it):
- Bus n. 97 B Bologna-S.Giorgio-S.Pietro in Casale-S.Venanzio
By train
From the Bologna Central Station (for information on timetables and fares visit www.trenitalia.com): railway line Bologna-Ferrara-Venezia, Galliera stop
By plane
The Guglielmo Marconi Airport is about25 km. from Galliera.
The Aerobus BLQ connects every 15-30 minutes the airport to the city centre and to the central station. Piazza XX Settembre stop to get a bus towards Galliera.