Loiano is a touristic resort and residential area of the province of Bologna, situated in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, along the route of the Futa, between Bologna and Florence. The origins of the town's name are uncertain: for some historians, in fact, it derives from the Latin god's name "Giano" ( Janus), while for others from "Leone" and, according to others, from a grass that once widespread throughout the area, "lily" (chaff).
Goethe in 1786, on his way to Florence, stayed at the hotel the Crown, describing this event in his "Italian Journey".
Loiano is best known for its Astronomical Observatory of the University of Bologna, built in 1936, it was considered, for a long while, the largest in Italy. It consists of two telescopes: the powerful telescope Cassini of 152cm in diameter, used by Italian and foreign researchers, and a smaller one of 60cm in diameter.
Not to miss:
- the Church of St. James and St. Margaret, built in XIV century, with its choir, Bell tower of the XVIII century and a new dome built in the 30s of the XX century. Inside are preserved artworks by Angelo Piò and Denis Calvaert;
- Villa Loup, built in the XIX century, whose name derives from a Swiss gentleman who married a Ghisilieri and received the building as her dowry.