Kainua

Kainua, fu un'antica città etrusca sorta sul Pian di Misano e sull’altura di Misanello, nel territorio dell’attuale comune di Marzabotto. Fu una delle città-stato più importanti dell'Etruria padana, assieme a Felsina (l’attuale Bologna) e Spina.

History

Kainua was settled in two different phases. The first one is known as Marzabotto 1st and dates back between 550 and 500 BC; the second phase is known as Marzabotto 2nd dating between 500 and 350 BC.

In the first phase the village was made up of primitive huts distributed all over the plain. It had also farm fields, few temples, one necropolis, a public water supply system, a foundry and one workshop at least. But the real foundation occurred in the second phase.

The town was settled according to the so called etruscu ritu, a holy custom practised by Etruscans, and later by Romans too, to set up cities as a projection of heavens.

The arcaheological area of Kainua

To this phase belong the house-shops built on the atrium tuscanium model, one acropolis, some sanctuaries,aqueducts, drainage systems and, in addition to the foundry, one large forge.

City's plant is still clear. It was made following an orthogonal system of 8 districts allocated on four main roads. Most important public areas are in the northern zone, like sacred areas, for example, that are clusterd in one small acropolis. And can also be found ruins of private houses futuring a central yard with well.

Last important finds are ruins of a temple devoted to Tinia, the main Etruscan divinity, which was located in a very strategic spot, and ruins of a Tuscanic temple devoted to Uni, which allowed recovery of Etruscan inscriptions related both to the political sphere and the religious life.

Main artifacts have been recovered during different excavations and displayed near the archaeological park, in the National Etruscan Museum of Marzabotto.

Imagine copyright: By Francesco Lazzarin - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Opening Hours

From 1 Aug to 28 Oct: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Friday, week-ends and midweek holidays from 11.00  a.m. to 6.30 p.m.

From 29 Oct to 24 March: Tuesday, Wednesday ah Thursday from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Friday, week-ends and midweek holidays from 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Closing day: Monday.

This timetable may change in hours. Please contact the following phone number to confirm: +39 051 9312353

Tickets

Tickets Price: Full price € 3,00 - Reduced price € 1,50

Entrance to the archaeological area and to the National Etruscan Museum "Pompeo Aria" are both included in one single ticket.

Free entry every first Sunday of the month and for all citizens under 18.

How to get to Kainua

BY TRAIN

Bologna is the nearest National railway station. Here you can take a local train to Marzabotto and then the site is at one kilometer.

BY BUS

Local service links the main cities across the region to the archaeological site. Visit the TPER website to look at timetables and routes.

BY CAR

Coming from Bologna: following Strada Statale Porrettana SS64, exit Marzabotto.

Coming from Milan: following motorway A1 until the exit Sasso Marconi, then following country road SP325 and finally taking Strada Statale Porrettana SS64, exit Marzabotto.

Coming from Rome: following motorway A1 until the exit Sasso Marconi, then following country road SP325 and finally taking Strada Statale Porrettana SS64, exit Marzabotto.