Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna
State museum of Emilian painting from the 13th to the 18th century, with works by Giotto, Raphael, Reni and the Carracci.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The gallery was founded in 1762, when Monsignor Giacomo Zambeccari bought eight 16th-century panels for the Accademia Clementina, which used them as models for its students. After the end of papal rule, in 1796, the Bolognese Senate brought together in a single collection almost a thousand paintings from suppressed churches and convents.
In 1803 the collection was transferred to the former Jesuit novitiate of Sant’Ignazio, in the Borgo della Paglia, where it still has its seat today, alongside the Accademia di Belle Arti. The gallery has been open to the public since 1875, and in 1882 it became independent of the Accademia. The display was radically renewed in 1997.
The exhibition route follows Emilian painting from the 13th to the 18th century: from the Bolognese Gothic of the 13th century to the Renaissance and Mannerism, up to the great period of the Carracci, Guido Reni and the masters of the 17th and 18th centuries. The ticket also allows a visit, within three months, to the detached seat of Palazzo Pepoli Campogrande, currently closed to the public.
Highlights
- Giotto’s Polittico di Bologna
- Raphael’s Ecstasy of Saint Cecilia (Estasi di Santa Cecilia)
- Guido Reni’s Pala del voto (votive altarpiece)
- Vitale da Bologna’s San Giorgio e il drago (Saint George and the Dragon)
- Parmigianino’s Madonna di Santa Margherita
- Works by the Carracci and Domenichino
Permanent exhibition
- Percorso permanente della pittura emiliana – The route presents Emilian painting from the 13th to the 18th century, from the Gothic to the Renaissance, from the Carracci to Guido Reni and the Baroque.
- Founded
- 1762
- Operated by
- Ministero della Cultura
- Visitors per year
- approx. 93,596
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2young people aged 18 to 25 (Carta del merito and Carta cultura giovani) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for under-18s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and a companion. |
| Groups (8+ people) | –Groups of 8 to 25 people: booking mandatory via PinboBooking, at most two months in advance. |
Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month (#domenicalmuseo) and 4 November.
Agreed reduced ticket at €10 for holders of certain cards. The ticket allows a single entry and is also valid for Palazzo Pepoli Campogrande within three months of issue. Free admission also for teachers, journalists, ICOM members, EU tourist guides and other categories indicated by the museum. Online purchase is recommended.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- 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
At the moment the stairlift is out of service and rooms 4 to 20 are not accessible; the lift may have temporary malfunctions. The website provides an accessibility map for each site.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Baby changing facilities
The museum offers routes and activities for families as part of its educational services. The Baby Pit Stop, on the basement floor, is a breastfeeding space with a changing table, reached by the staircase or by the lift.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Porta San Donato
Bus stop Porta San Donato: from the railway station, lines 32 and 36; from the bus station, lines 36 and 37; from Piazza Malpighi, line 20; from the Fiera, line 28.
By car
Paid parking
Paid car parks in via Irnerio, in piazza Otto Agosto and at the bus station.
The street is in a limited traffic zone (ZTL); the nearest point reachable without a permit is via Irnerio. On foot, about 15 minutes from the station, the bus station and Piazza Maggiore.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
The bookshop is accessible without a ticket. Depositing backpacks, bags and umbrellas is free and mandatory before entering the rooms.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photographs and video of the works are permitted for personal and study use, without flash, selfie sticks, tripods or professional equipment; temporary exhibitions are excluded. |
| Good to know | Before the rooms, backpacks, bags and bulky objects must be left in the cloakroom. Children under 12 must be accompanied. Food and drink are prohibited. |
