A family jewellery and watch shop in Bologna since 1909, with its own repair workshop and a Dodo boutique.
Photo © Natale Fontana Gioielli
Why go
Natale Fontana is a family jewellery and watch business that opened in Bologna in 1909 in a small shop on via Indipendenza. Members of the Fontana-Gaudenzi-Sinigaglia family have run it since, and in 1994 the main shop moved to via Rizzoli, inside Palazzo Ronzani, a Liberty-style building under the Pavaglione arcades.
Today the business has four sites in central Bologna: the jewellery and watch shop on via Rizzoli, Natale Fontana Start and the repair workshop Natale Fontana Lab on via Indipendenza, and the Dodo boutique on via D'Azeglio. Together they offer customers a choice of jewellery, watches, straps, engraving and watch servicing.
Main services
Services from the official website.
Watch repair and restoration
The Lab repairs, services and restores new and antique watches of every type, from quartz to mechanical and chronographs. Customers receive a quote first, and original parts are fitted where available for the brands sold.
Watch battery replacement
Batteries are replaced in branded and unbranded watches, within an hour between 9:30 and 18:00. Customers can wait for the quick change or leave the watch for an hour to have a small cleaning included.
Custom watch straps
Straps can be made to measure, with chosen colours and materials, and leather can carry the customer's initials or full name. Camille Fournet straps are also offered for prestigious watch brands.
Goldsmith work and engraving
The workshop makes gold pieces to order and reworks old-style models with gold and stones. It also does engraving by pantograph, laser or by hand, soldering, polishing, stone setting and ring resizing.
Bologna-themed gold and silver charms
Trusted craftsmen make the symbols of Bologna in gold and silver: tortellini, the Two Towers and the Neptune statue. A local keepsake or gift that suits both visitors and residents alike.
Dodo boutique
Dodo is an Italian brand known for charms and jewellery designed to be collected, personalised and matched to any style. The boutique on via D'Azeglio sells it and lets customers pay online for orders.
Photo © Natale Fontana Gioielli
Services and facilities
Gallery
Photo © Natale Fontana Gioielli
Photo © Natale Fontana Gioielli
Photo © Natale Fontana Gioielli
Practical information
Via Francesco Rizzoli 1/2 AB, 40125 Bologna
Getting there
From Piazza Maggiore & the Neptune Fountain: 30 m, about 1 min walk.
Nearest station: Bologna Centrale, Via de' Carracci · 1.5 km, about 23 min walk.
Straight-line distances from OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors); walking times are approximate.
Around the shop
City Guide · Things to do
Bologna landmarks with their own Holiplanet page, nearest first.
Square
Bologna's living room, watched over by Giambologna's bronze Neptune
Basilica
Bologna’s great Gothic church, with Cassini’s meridian line
Monument
The skyline's twin emblems, one leaning, both under watchful care
Church
Seven sacred spaces in one, Bologna's little Jerusalem
Market
Medieval guild lanes still selling Bologna's best food
Viewpoint
A little window onto Bologna's hidden canal
Library
Walk on glass over Villanovan huts and Roman Bononia
Street
62 km of covered streets, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Church
Bologna's hilltop Madonna, reached under the world's longest portico
On the Bologna map
City Guide · Where to eat
Bologna restaurants with their own Holiplanet page, nearest first.
Seasonal restaurant
Vegetable-led farm-to-table menu with house-made bread
Emilian restaurant
Family recipes and handmade pasta since 1980
Bolognese restaurant
Family-run since 1955 near Piazza Maggiore: tortellini in broth
Bolognese trattoria
Pasta rolled by hand and grilled meats on Via Piella
Bolognese trattoria
Handmade pasta, cotoletta and grilled meats off Via dell’Indipendenza
Traditional restaurant
Handmade tortellini and tagliatelle in Bologna since 1948
Wine bar / osteria
Wine osteria since 1465: bring your own food
Chef's restaurant
Mario Ferrara's Lucanian-rooted cooking in a 1600s convent
Historic restaurant
Tortellini in brodo and lasagne verdi since 1909
On the Bologna map
City Guide · Where to stay
Hotels, B&Bs and apartments with their own Holiplanet page, nearest first.
Family hotel
Small family-run hotel by the Two Towers with a panoramic terrace
Hotel
Family-run hotel in the pedestrian heart by Piazza Maggiore
Boutique hotel
22 modern rooms in the historic centre, opened in 2023
Hotel
Homely 3-star near the university district and the main sights
Hotel
4-star with 193 rooms, right opposite the main train station
Four-star hotel
Four-star hotel on Via dell'Indipendenza with a secret garden
Boutique hotel
Boutique hotel built around an inner Garden Court, with the Orangerie
Four-star hotel with spa
Four-star hotel near the station with the Monrif Spa and a large gym
Hostel
A unique 99% handmade hostel in the University area
On the Bologna map
City Guide · Experiences
Tours, classes and guided walks with their own Holiplanet page.
Food valley tour
Parmigiano, balsamic and prosciutto producers in one day
Cooking class
Hands-on pasta class, small groups, near Piazza Maggiore
Balsamic vinegar tour
Free guided tour of the Giusti family museum and ageing rooms in Modena
Car museum / factory tour
Lamborghini museum and production line tour in Sant'Agata Bolognese
City walking tours
Licensed guides' cooperative for Bologna city and themed tours
Bike tours
Guided bike and walking tours plus bike rental
Balsamic vinegar producer visit
Family acetaia in Nonantola (Modena): balsamic tour and tasting, €8
Food market tour
Walking food tour through the Quadrilatero market and centre
For kids & families
Weekend museum workshops for children at Palazzo Fava
On the Bologna map
Questions
The main jewellery and watch shop is at Via Francesco Rizzoli 1/2 AB, 40125 Bologna.
Yes. Battery replacement is done within an hour between 9:30 and 18:00, and you can also leave the watch for an hour so the technician can give it a small clean.
No. The customer is told the quote before work starts, and it stays free even if the customer declines it.
The via Rizzoli shop lists brands such as Pomellato, Chantecler, Pasquale Bruni, Crivelli, Messika, Longines, Hamilton and Nomos.
The Dodo boutique at via D'Azeglio 4 is open Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 19:30.
You can call the via Rizzoli shop on +39 051 238646 or write to info@natalefontana.it.
