Museo Civico Archeologico

Archeological Museum

Via dell'Archiginnasio 2
Bologna, 40124

Nearest Train: ATC 11, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 27, 29, 30, 62, A, B, C

Phone: +39 051 275 7211

Fax: +39 051 266 516

This important museum institution is located inside the old Santa Maria della Morte Hospital, and was opened in 1881. The conspicuous repertory of materials on display has reached such enormous proportions thanks to the Palagi donations and the archaeological excavations carried out by Giovanni Gozzadini in 1853 and by Antonio Zannoni in 1869. By studying these precious artifacts with villanoviana and felisinea origins (both ancient civilizations from this area) it is possible to learn more about the phases of cultural evolution in Bologna from its origins right up to the Etruscan period, a period in which the city acquired the name of Felsina. The Museum contains a lot of lapidary monuments, grave goods, Greek and Roman amphorae, ceramics, and votive bronzes. The most important exhibits include an Etruscan bronze truncated cone shaped urn, and a unique example of an ivory stool dating back to the 5th Century BCE. An important section of the Museum is dedicated to a precious Egyptian collection, the second biggest in Italy, which contains sarcophagi, mummies, bronzes, ushebti (small funerary statues), beautiful statues in black granite, and precious jewels. The architecture of the interior courtyard is very beautiful and worth taking a look at, the cloisters and the Santa Maria della Morte Church face onto this courtyard. Admission: Free.