Civica Pinacoteca il Guercino

About the museum

The Civica Pinacoteca “il Guercino” is the main cultural institution of the town of Cento, where Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, known as Guercino, was born in 1591. The museum was founded in 1839 to house a first nucleus of Guercino’s canvases recovered after the Napoleonic requisitions. It is housed in the Monte di Pietà palace, designed in 1794 by the Bolognese architect Giovanni Callegari.

After the damage caused by the earthquake, which required seismic improvement works and a new display, the gallery reopened on 25 November 2023. The route is laid out over two floors: on the ground floor, in chronological order, it reconstructs the historical and cultural fabric of the town through the most important works from the territory; the first floor is entirely devoted to Guercino and his school, with the last two rooms reserved for genre painting and portraiture, in which significant examples from the workshop can be seen.

The collection makes it possible to follow in one place the stylistic development of the master, his pupils and collaborators. The palace also houses a teaching room, a room for temporary exhibitions, the Centro Studi Internazionale il Guercino with its specialised library, and a store for the works.

Highlights

• The largest collection of works by Guercino in the world
• Chronological route on the artistic history of Cento on the ground floor
• Rooms devoted to Guercino and his workshop on the first floor
• Genre painting and portraiture from the workshop
• Monte di Pietà building with a lift and barrier-free access

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione permanente: storia artistica di Cento e Guercino con la sua bottega – On the ground floor, works from the territory in chronological order; on the first floor, rooms devoted to Guercino, his school, genre painting and portraiture.

Founded

1839

Operated by

Comune di Cento

Director

Giovanni Sassu

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission days in 2026: 7–8 February, 8 March for women, 23 May, 25–26 July, 12–13 September and 28–29 November.

The ticket also includes access to the exhibition at the church of San Lorenzo and can be bought at either venue. Free admission also for tourist guides, journalists with ID, ICOM members and residents of Cento every Saturday. On 14 February one ticket is valid for two people.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

After the post-earthquake works, architectural barriers have been removed and the gallery is fully accessible to people with mobility impairments. A lift serves all floors, the facilities are on the ground floor, and the entrance has a goods lift for wheelchairs. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Calendar of workshops and activities for children and families, proposals for schools and summer camps.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

Bags, backpacks and bulky items must be left in lockers or in the ticket office’s left-luggage.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit