Certosa di Bologna: Summer Program 2026

From 22 May to 8 November 2026, the Certosa di Bologna hosts its summer program, curated by the Civic Museum of the Risorgimento and the Civic Museums sector of the Municipality of Bologna. The initiative aims to enhance the historical, artistic and landscape value of the Monumental Cemetery.

Now in its eighteenth edition, the program is part of an ongoing effort to reposition the Certosa as a site of cultural interest, internationally recognized and included in UNESCO listings within the project dedicated to Bologna’s Porticoes.

Program highlights

• Guided tours exploring local history from the late 18th to the early 20th century;
• Animated visits and workshops for families and schools, designed for different age groups;
• Recitals and performances in daytime, sunset and night slots;
• Historical itineraries focused on notable local figures and cultural anniversaries;
• Related events in other monumental cemeteries across the metropolitan area as part of a coordinated calendar.

Selected events

The 2026 lineup includes routes that trace Bologna’s “Long Nineteenth Century”, programs addressing industrial and social change, and tours dedicated to the city’s cultural protagonists. Examples include:

• 30 May, 10:30 – tour on late 18th-century Bolognese arts;
• 14 June and 19 September, 10:00 – sessions on art, industry and utopia;
• 31 May, 15:30 and 8 November, 10:30 – events focused on the monument’s historical memory;
• 13 October, 18:30 and 7 November, 14:00 – explorations among the cemetery’s sculptural masterpieces.

The program also participates in the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries, promoted by ASCE, offering guided visits and talks that highlight education and new ways to engage with sites of memory.

Practical information

Events take place at different times of day to provide varied experiences. For ticketing, bookings and the full schedule, consult the official channels of the Municipality and the Civic Museums.

Why visit: the Certosa is more than a cemetery — it is a monumental complex that preserves key chapters of Bologna’s history through architecture, monuments and artworks, accessible through programs aimed at enhancing its cultural value.