8 best museums in Bologna

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Like many Italian cities, Bologna has a rich cultural heritage. Let’s explore 8 wonderful museums!

The 8 best museums of Bologna

National Gallery of Bologna (Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna)

The National Gallery of Bologna is one of the city’s most significant cultural institutions.

Its history dates back to the early 18th century when the teachers of Accademia Clementina di Bologna began collecting and exhibiting works by local masters to preserve the city’s artistic heritage.

Its collection spans more than 30 rooms and traces the development of Italian art from the 13th to the 18th century. It places special emphasis on the masters of the Bolognese School while also featuring significant works from other regions of the country. Works by Giotto, Francesco Francia, Carracci, and Guido Reni can be viewed here.

All information can be found here!

Archaeological Museum (Museo Civico Archeologico)

Located in the city center near Piazza Maggiore, this museum showcases fascinating collections of ancient civilizations.

Main collections:

• Etruscan: burial objects, sculptures, ceramics, and other artifacts that showcase the daily life and religious customs of Etruscan culture.
• Egyptian: One of Italy’s most significant Egyptian collections, containing more than 3,500 objects. Notable pieces include mummies, sarcophagi, and hieroglyphic stone tablets.
• Roman Era: showcases Bologna’s development under Roman rule and artifacts from other areas of the empire.
• Greek: the collection pieces date from the 6th-4th centuries BC and reflect the fine details of Greek art.
• Prehistoric: presents prehistoric relics from the Emilia-Romagna region, showing settlement findings and the development of ancient cultures in the region.

All information can be found here!

Museum of Modern Art of Bologna (Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna / MAMbo)

Bologna’s museum of modern and contemporary art is one of the city’s most important cultural centers.

The permanent exhibition showcases the development of 20th-century Italian art, with particular focus on the post-World War II period. The museum regularly organizes temporary exhibitions focusing on works by international and Italian artists.

A special section is the Morandi Museum. Giorgio Morandi was Bologna’s most famous artist. This section displays his paintings, drawings, and prints, offering insight into the artist’s life and creative process.

All information can be found here!

Museum of the History of Bologna (Museo della Storia di Bologna)

The historical museum of Bologna showcases the city’s rich past and cultural heritage.

The museum is housed in Palazzo Pepoli Vecchio, which is itself historically significant. The elegant interior spaces of this 14th-century palace have been converted into modern museum functions.

The exhibitions lead chronologically and thematically through Bologna’s history. We can see the development from ancient times (when the city was called Felsina) through the medieval renaissance to the modern age. There’s a special section about university life, featuring the world’s oldest continuously operating university.

All information can be found here!

Museum of Palazzo Poggi (Museo di Palazzo Poggi)

One of Bologna’s oldest and most interesting museums, it’s also a symbol of the city’s scientific and cultural heritage.

Main collections:

• Natural Sciences and Anatomy: lifelike wax models created in the 17th-18th centuries for Bologna’s medical education. The models show detailed representations of human body organs and anatomical systems.
• Naval: focuses on 16th-17th century navigation and maritime research. Ship models, maps, and navigation tools demonstrate the technological development of the era.
• Geography and Astronomy: telescopes, hand-painted maps, and other instruments are on display.
• Military Sciences: a special section showcases the history and techniques of city defense.
• Galileo Galilei and the Scientific Revolution: presents the famous astronomer’s work and the development of the profession.

All information can be found here!

Municipal Art Collections (Collezioni Comunali d’Arte)

One of Bologna’s outstanding art museums is located in the historic Palazzo d’Accursio building in the city center.

Its collection showcases unique pieces of Bologna’s medieval, renaissance, and baroque art, complemented by 19th-century works and artifacts related to the city’s history. Works by many famous artists can be seen: Bartolomeo Cesi, Lavinia Fontana, Annibale Carracci, Guido Reni, Giuseppe Maria Crespi, and Guercino.

The rooms of the building are impressive in themselves, decorated with rich frescoes, gilded ceilings, and carved wooden details. Some rooms of the museum retain their 16th-17th century interior architectural elements.

All information can be found here!

Ducati Museum (Museo Ducati)

Commemorates Ducati’s iconic motorcycles, history, and racing successes.

The museum is located at the Ducati Motor Holding headquarters in Bologna’s Borgo Panigale district. The company started operations in 1926 as a radio parts manufacturer, then switched to motorcycles after World War II.

Its collection includes iconic models from the brand’s history, such as the 750 SuperSport and the Desmosedici GP. The latest high-end motorcycles like the Panigale V4 and Scrambler are also on display.

The museum particularly focuses on Ducati’s motorsport achievements. MotoGP and Superbike motorcycles that won world championships can be viewed, along with memorabilia signed by the riders.

All information can be found here!

Museo Davia Bargellini

The museum’s uniqueness lies in its simultaneous presentation of baroque-era Bologna’s art, craft traditions, and material culture of urban life.

The museum is housed on the ground floor and first floor of Palazzo Bargellini, an impressive baroque palace. The building was constructed in the 17th century and is one of Bologna’s architectural gems.

The collection includes works by Bologna’s most renowned baroque artists, including Giuseppe Maria Crespi and Donato Creti. It’s particularly famous for its crafts, including Bolognese lace, carved wooden objects, and wrought iron and porcelain decorative items. One of its most interesting sections is the collection of mechanical puppets.

All information can be found here!