Monumental Cemetery of the Certosa – one of the oldest in Italy

History and description

Located in an area already used as a necropolis by the Etruscans, the Monumental Cemetery of the Certosa in Bologna covers about 30 hectares and has undergone several architectural interventions. It was established in 1801, during the Napoleonic era’s urban renewal, using remains of the old convent such as the cloisters, the Church of San Girolamo—where 17th‑century artworks can still be admired—and various halls. Over the years, the site was expanded multiple times. It is considered one of the complexes preserving the largest repertoire of Neoclassical sculpture, with around 6,000 works created by more than 200 artists. Among its most notable tombs is that of poet Giosuè Carducci, who dedicated one of his Odi barbare (1877) to the cemetery.

Curiosities

Inside the cemetery are several monumental works, such as the Ossuary Monument to the Fallen Partisans by Piero Bottoni. Another distinctive feature is the unfinished portico, originally intended to connect the cemetery to the city. During restoration works, archaeological finds were also uncovered, including the Situla della Certosa, now preserved in Bologna’s Civic Archaeological Museum.

Access

Open daily from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, the cemetery is freely accessible, with guided tours available upon request.

How to reach it

The Certosa can be reached by car via Exit 2 of the Bologna ring road towards the city center, by bus (lines 19 or 36), by bicycle along the many cycle paths, or on foot from the center.

Photo credits: Mattis (Wikipedia) - Licensed by CC 4.0