The Civic Archaeological Museum of Bologna: a Window into the Past

The Civic Archaeological Museum of Bologna is one of the most important archaeological museums in Italy and Europe. Housed in the evocative Palazzo Galvani, a 15th-century building that once served as the “Ospedale della Morte,” the museum offers a fascinating journey through history — from the earliest civilizations to the Roman era.

The Collections

Its collections are the result of archaeological excavations carried out in the Bolognese area, as well as donations and acquisitions from major historical collections. The exhibition is organized into sections that retrace different epochs and cultures:

• Prehistoric and Protohistoric Collection: documents the origins of Bologna and its territory, from the Paleolithic period onward.
• Egyptian Section: considered one of the most important in Europe, it includes over 3,500 artifacts such as statues, sarcophagi, canopic jars, and everyday objects.
• Etruscan Section: highlights Bologna’s role as Felsina, the capital of Etruria Padana, with a rich display of urns, vases, and funerary objects.
• Roman Collection: features sculptures, inscriptions, mosaics, and artifacts that illustrate the life of the city during the Roman era.
• Greek Collection: showcases an impressive array of ceramics and artifacts from Magna Graecia.
• Coin Cabinet and Plaster Cast Gallery: sections devoted to numismatic collections and plaster reproductions of famous sculptures.

Visitor Information

• Address: Via dell’Archiginnasio, 2 – 40124 Bologna (BO)
• Opening Hours:
  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sunday, and holidays: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Ticket office closes one hour before closing time.
• Tickets:
  • Full: €6.00
  • Reduced: €4.00 (for students, visitors over 65, and other eligible categories)
  • Free admission with Bologna Welcome Card or Card Cultura.
• Accessibility: the museum is fully accessible to visitors with mobility impairments, with elevators and alternative routes available.
• Website: www.museibologna.it/archeologico

Cover photo credits: Giuseppe Ricchiuti, Google Maps