Museo della Storia di Bologna

About the museum

The museum is housed in the 14th-century Palazzo Pepoli, built in 1344 by Taddeo Pepoli, first lord of Bologna, in the heart of the historic centre near the Due Torri (Two Towers). After passing to the Collegio Gregoriano and returning to the Pepoli family, the palazzo was bought in the 20th century by the Cassa di Risparmio and in 2003 became part of the holdings of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio in Bologna.

Since January 2012 it has housed the Museo della Storia di Bologna, with the restoration and museographic design by the architect Mario Bellini. The route, conceived as a time machine, uses stage-set techniques and multimedia and interactive installations to tell the transformations of the city from the Etruscan foundation of Felsina to the contemporary age.

The rooms are organised into thematic areas: the Città dipinta (Painted City), the Torre del Tempo (Tower of Time) of glass and steel at the centre of the palazzo, Bologna antica, storica, le arti, contemporanea e popolare (Ancient, Historic, Arts, Contemporary and Popular Bologna), with the reconstruction of the battle of Fossalta of 1249 and of the processions for the coronation of Charles V in 1530. The museum also includes a section devoted to Giorgio Morandi, with works from the collections of the Fondazione Carisbo, and the Casa dei Burattini Bolognesi (House of Bolognese Puppets).

Highlights

• Multimedia route through 36 rooms from Etruscan Felsina to today
• Torre del Tempo of glass and steel at the centre of the palazzo
• Reconstruction of the battle of Fossalta and of the coronation of Charles V
• Section devoted to Giorgio Morandi
• Casa dei Burattini Bolognesi
• Covered courtyard with free access

Permanent exhibitions

• Museo della Storia di Bologna – Multimedia route through 36 rooms on the history of the city, from the Etruscan age to the contemporary era.
• Casa dei Burattini Bolognesi – Rooms dedicated to the tradition of glove puppets (burattini) of the Bolognese school.

Founded

2012

Operated by

Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio in Bologna (Genus Bononiae)

Visitors per year

approx. 27,293

Admission & discounts

Reduced ticket for residents and students €5: residents of Bologna and the Metropolitan City with ID, young people aged 13 to 18 and university students with a student card. Admission is also free with the Card Cultura and the Bologna Welcome Card and for tourist guides. The ticket includes the audio guide, to be used with your own smartphone and earphones. Holders of the museum ticket have a reduced rate for temporary exhibitions. Cancellation with refund or changes are possible up to 24 hours in advance.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

The museum is substantially accessible; visitors with reduced mobility may find the first room (Etruscan Bologna) difficult, as a reconstructed Etruscan road has a very uneven surface. Introductory panels and room sheets in foreign languages make independent visits easier; no visual alarm signals are provided in the toilets and the lift. Guide dogs are always admitted.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Animated visits and workshops are offered to all school levels; the Casa dei Burattini Bolognesi organises the “Burattini a Bologna Experience”. Free admission up to 12.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the centre, near the Due Torri, a few minutes' walk from Piazza Maggiore and the Torre degli Asinelli; Bologna Centrale station is about 2 km away and Marconi airport about 13 km.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Museum café with free entrance, Bottega del Museo (bookshop and information point) and left luggage in dedicated spaces; backpacks and large bags are not admitted to the rooms.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit