In the year of the centenary of Ducatithe link between the motorcycle manufacturer and Bologna finds a new expression through a project that, until next October 5brings the company’s identity to some of the most prestigious and emblematic places in the city, including Salaborsa, the Palazzo Pepoli, the Galleria Cavour 1959, the Palazzo Boncompagni and the Renato Dall’Ara stadium.
All of them become the settings for a multifaceted tour that transforms Bologna into a large exhibition space dedicated to the Italian brand. Five exceptional venues showcase the five facets of the company through photographic exhibitions, archival material, works of art, historical models, unique motorcycles and contemporary creations.
“Ducati is part of the history of Bologna”
From the factory to historical memory, from design to art and sport, the project captures the essence of a story that began in Bologna in 1926 and that has continued uninterruptedly to this day. It highlights the brand’s truest identity, which goes beyond motorcycles to encompass everything that has contributed to its value over the last century.
The initiative was officially presented last Friday, September 4, during a press conference held at the Palazzo d’Accursio, attended by Claudio DomenicaliCEO of Ducati; Patrizia Cianetti, Director of Marketing and Communication at Ducati; Matteo Lepore, mayor of Bologna; and Irene Priolo, regional advisor for the Environment, Territorial Planning, Mobility and Transport, and Infrastructure of Emilia-Romagna.
This shared history also extends to other places in the city. Throughout the month of September, Ducati will be present in several establishments associated with Confcommercio Ascom – including hotels, bistros and shops in the historic center –, which will contribute to “dying Bologna red” on the occasion of the centenary.
The Bologna Welcome spaces overlooking Piazza Maggiore will also be part of this shared history. On October 4, the tour will conclude in Borgo Panigale: on the day dedicated to the patron saint of Bologna, the Ducati Museum will open its doors to the public and welcome the Bolognese to the place that preserves the history and identity of the brand.
Five places that tell the story of Ducati
Salaborsa
The protagonist of the exhibition Salaborsa is the Superleggera V4 Centenario, along with its mechanical platform. The model is framed in Giovanni De Sandre’s photographic narrative, created inside the Ducati factory.
Its images capture the most human aspect of the factory, made up of the people, knowledge and skills that translate every day into excellence in manufacturing. On the one hand, the most advanced result of this work; on the other, the people who make it possible and who give life to the dreams of thousands of Ducatisti around the world. Your visit is completely free and no prior reservation is necessary to visit it.
Palazzo Pepoli – Bologna History Museum
He Palazzo Pepolihome of the Bologna History Museum, hosts an exhibition that intertwines the history of the motorcycle manufacturer with that of the city through people, events, places and objects linked to the area, including historical photographs and videos, testimonies, stories and archival documents. Admission to this exhibition is free and does not require a reservation.
Galleria Cavour 1959
The Galleria Cavour 1959 takes visitors on a tour of Ducati design, from the creative process to the development of the form, all the way to the birth of the motorcycle. The exhibition, titled “Design: the icon takes shape”, delves into the heart of this journey, illustrating how an idea is gradually transformed into reality: from the first sketch to the final motorcycle. In this enclave, admission is free, no reservation is necessary.
Palazzo Boncompagni
He Palazzo Boncompagni It houses several models from the “Collezione 100”, a project created to pay tribute to the decorations that have marked key moments in Ducati’s history. Ten contemporary motorcycles interact with the models that inspired them, uniting different eras through colors, shapes and graphic details. The narrative is enriched with reproductions of works by maestro Ugo Nespolo, one of the most important Italian artists of the late 20th century.
He has dedicated a series of unique and original illustrations to the Collezione 100. With his unmistakable visual language, Nespolo has reinterpreted the ten models and their respective historic motorcycles in a colorful and dynamic narrative that decomposes and recomposes the lines of the motorcycles to maximize the strength and beauty of each individual design, giving even more prestige to the Palazzo Boncompagni exhibition. In this case, access to the exhibition costs 5 euros and you can make a reservation by clicking on this link.
Renato Dall’Ara Stadium
He Dall’Ara stadium embraces the sporting spirit of Ducati. At the heart of Bologna’s sporting passion, two Bologna FC matches – Bologna-Sassuolo on September 6 and Bologna-Turin on September 19 – will feature some of Ducati’s highest-performance bikes, starting with the Desmosedici GP and the Panigale V4 R, protagonists of the MotoGP and WorldSBK championships, respectively.
Along with the competition motorcycles, a prominent place is reserved for two of Ducati’s most extreme creations: the Superleggera V4 Centenario and the Superleggera V4 Centenario Tricolore, manufactured in 500 and 100 units, respectively. Two collector’s masterpieces in limited edition. Access to this exhibition is reserved for those days when you have left.
