Palazzo Tozzoni
Eighteenth-century house museum in Imola with furnishings, paintings, library and archive of the noble Tozzoni family, open to the public since 1981.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Tozzoni family moved to Imola from Tuscany in the late 15th century and for a long time lived in two adjoining houses. The palace that united them was built from 1726 to a design by Domenico Trifogli and completed in 1738. Within it five centuries of life of an aristocratic family of landowners overlap, across different tastes and fashions.
In 1978 Sofia Serristori Tozzoni, the last descendant to live there, donated the palace with its furnishings to the Comune di Imola; the house museum has been open to the public since 1981. Since February 2023 it has been part of the “Case e studi delle persone illustri” (houses and studies of illustrious people) of Emilia-Romagna.
The route includes the staircase with the stucco statues by Francesco Janssens, the Salone d'onore (reception hall), three apartments (Barocchetto, Empire and the veranda) and private rooms such as the dining room, drawing rooms, old kitchens and the library. The collections number about 170 paintings, mostly by Bolognese and Romagnol artists, a library with rare editions, a photographic collection and ethnographic objects brought back from the travels of Francesco Giuseppe Tozzoni. On the piano nobile the family archive is kept, with 940 folders of documents from the late 15th century to the mid-20th century.
Highlights
- Intact Barocchetto (Rococo) apartment
- Empire wing with period furnishings
- Staircase with stucco statues by Francesco Janssens
- About 170 paintings, including a portrait of Pius V by Lavinia Fontana
- Family archive with 940 folders of documents
- Mannequin of Orsola Bandini Tozzoni
Permanent exhibitions
- Appartamento barocchetto e ala Impero – The historic apartments preserve furnishings, objects and paintings that document five centuries of the Tozzoni family's life.
- Archivio e biblioteca di famiglia – The piano nobile houses the archive, with 940 folders of documents from the late 15th century to the mid-20th century, available for consultation on request.
- Founded
- 1981
- Operated by
- Comune di Imola – Imola Musei
- Visitors per year
- approx. 5,630 (2022)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4visitors aged 15 to 25 and over 65, groups of at least 15 people, university students with a card, members of the Touring Club Italiano, FAI members, holders of the YoungER Card, carers of people with disabilities |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 14 · Free admission up to age 14; children under 14 cannot enter without a responsible adult. |
| Seniors | €4Reduced from age 65. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for people with disabilities holding the appropriate card; reduced for companions. |
| Students & apprentices | €4University students with a card. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €4 per personReduced for groups of at least 15 people; one companion for every 15 people enters free. |
| Combined ticket for 2 museums of Imola Musei | €8Reductions do not apply. |
| Combined ticket for 3 museums of Imola Musei | €10Reductions do not apply. |
Free admission: Residents of the Comune di Imola: free admission on Sunday mornings.
Free admission also for school groups, journalists and tourist guides with a card, ICOM members, museum and superintendency staff, and holders of the Card Cultura of the Città metropolitana di Bologna.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The palace is a historic building only partly accessible; to overcome architectural barriers a service with motorised equipment is available, to be booked one week in advance (tel. +39 0542 602 609).
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 14 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
Equipped classrooms for educational workshops for schools of every level and for families.
Getting there & parking
From the railway station follow viale Andrea Costa towards the centre, following the signs for “Musei”. By car: take the Imola exit of the A14 motorway and drive about 4 km towards the centre. Taxis at the station.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
Free cloakroom and lockers; bulky items must be left before the visit. Bookshop with publications, catalogues, reproductions and gifts.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (IT, EN) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The audio guide is free (available at the ticket office or on your own smartphone). Guided tours for groups of up to 25 people in Italian (booking at least 48 hours in advance: €70 for one site, 1 hour 30; €120 for two sites) and in English or French (booking at least 4 days in advance: €90 for one site, €140 for two). Animals are admitted only if they are guide dogs. |
