Museo Civico Archeologico «Luigi Fantini» di Monterenzio

About the museum

The museum of Monterenzio holds the finds collected in the excavations on Monte Bibele and at Monterenzio Vecchio, in the Bolognese Apennines, together with other finds from the area. It is considered one of the most important museums in Italy and Europe devoted to Etruscan-Italic pre-Roman culture and Celtic armament. It was inaugurated in July 2000 thanks to the joint commitment of the Comune di Monterenzio, the Emilia-Romagna Region, the University of Bologna and the Ministry for Cultural Heritage, and was re-displayed in 2015.

The route on the ground floor follows the territory: the necropolis of Monte Tamburino, the sundial of Monte Bibele, the votive deposit (stipe), the houses of the Etruscan-Celtic settlement of Pianella di Monte Savino and the reconstruction of a dwelling, up to the tombs of the necropolis of Monterenzio Vecchio. A film recounts the discovery of the Apennine civilisation of the 4th–3rd centuries BC. Among the display cases there is also a tactile route with replicas of mirrors, strigils, bronze vessels, small bronzes and weapons, designed for blind visitors.

On the first floor are the classrooms for educational workshops, a conference room and a laboratory for restoring the finds. The museum is run together with the association Arc.a Monte Bibele and is linked to the Area archeologico-naturalistica di Monte Bibele, where the Etruscan-Celtic village can be visited.

Highlights

• Etruscan-Celtic finds from Monte Bibele and Monterenzio Vecchio
• Celtic armament and grave goods of the 4th–3rd centuries BC
• Reconstruction of an Etruscan-Celtic dwelling
• Tactile route for blind visitors
• Link with the Area archeologico-naturalistica di Monte Bibele

Permanent exhibition

• Civiltà appenninica etrusco-celtica di Monte Bibele e Monterenzio Vecchio – Necropolis, settlement and votive deposit of the 4th–3rd centuries BC, with the reconstruction of a dwelling and a tactile route.

Founded

2000

Operated by

Comune di Monterenzio (gestione: Arc.a Monte Bibele APS)

Visitors per year

approx. 5,500

Admission & discounts

Museum admission costs €5 (€3 under 14 years); the guided visit, by appointment, costs €5 per person plus a fixed fee of €30 per group. Those who visit both the museum and the Area archeologico-naturalistica di Monte Bibele on the same day receive a 15% discount.

Accessibility

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

Among the display cases a tactile route has been set up, with replicas of mirrors, strigils, bronze vessels, small bronzes and weapons, designed for blind visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Visits and educational workshops for schools and families; under-14s pay a reduced rate.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at Via del Museo 2 in Monterenzio, about 29 km from Bologna.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Reception with bookshop on the ground floor; the Monte Bibele service centre also offers food and overnight stays on request.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum has a conference room on the first floor; the Monte Bibele service centre offers meeting rooms and event organisation.

Plan your visit