Museums in Bologna and the metropolitan area: weekend highlights

Museums in Bologna and the metropolitan area: weekend highlights

Below is a concise guide to museum activities across the metropolitan area: temporary exhibitions, themed guided tours, family workshops and special openings. Practical details include times, how to participate and contact information.

• Budrio

  On the third Sunday of each month "Domeniche in Arte" offers visits to the civic museums such as the Pinacoteca Civica, Archaeological Museum, Ocarina Museum and Puppet Museum. Opening hours 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00. A rotating monthly exhibition in the historic centre features photography, painting and sculpture.

• Pieve di Cento

  The G. Campanini Pinacoteca hosts a guided tour Sunday at 16:00 on "Early 20th-century avant-gardes", focusing on Futurism and local artists. Free entry; reservations recommended via email: [email protected]. The gallery is open every Sunday 10:00-18:00.

• Pianoro

  For the 19th anniversary of the "Pietro Lazzarini" Museum of Arts and Crafts, a ceremony awarding local academic achievements takes place Sunday at 10:30.

• Bologna - Civic museums and key venues

  The Archaeological Museum offers a special Pi Day guided tour on Saturday at 17:00, exploring ancient Mediterranean approaches to geometry and the circle, with word games and a "circumference hunt" among artifacts; admission with museum ticket while seats last.

  The Museum of the Risorgimento features the exhibition "Unica al mondo - La giubba garibaldina color caffè"; on Sunday at 15:00 there is a guided walk in the Certosa cemetery titled "Garibaldi and the Garibaldini in Certosa" (free visit, booking recommended at: [email protected]). Meeting point at the Certosa Info Point, via della Certosa 18.

  The Museum of Industrial Heritage hosts Saturday 16:00-17:15 the program "Telling Work", combining collections tours with readings and memories about the area's industrial past.

  Ongoing exhibitions include "Graphic Japan. From Hokusai to Manga" at the Archaeological Museum, "Concetto Pozzati. From and for Morandi" at Casa Morandi, and "Etel Adnan and Giorgio Morandi | Vibrations". Check museum websites for full details.

• Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna

  Saturday guided tours "Guercino up close" at 17:00 and 18:00 examine the stylistic development of the 17th-century master. Sunday at 17:00 the multisensory experience "Tactile Landscapes" allows children (6-11 years) to engage with painted landscapes and create a personal work. Online booking required; information at pinacotecabologna.cultura.gov.it.

• Palazzo Boncompagni

  The exhibition "Michelangelo Pistoletto. From the City of Art to the State of Art" curated by Silvia Evangelisti presents historical works and projects spanning over sixty years. Visiting hours: Tue-Wed 15:30-18:30; Thu-Sun 10:00-13:00 and 15:30-18:30.

• University Museums - Palazzo Poggi and collections

  Saturday continues the "Kaleidoscope Japan" series promoting Japanese culture and the East Asian Art Collection at Palazzo Poggi; first appointment at 15:00 on "Shunga – Japanese erotic prints". Free entry until capacity is reached. Saturday guided visits to the University Library and tactile tours of the Comparative Anatomy Collection; Sunday at 11:00 the Giovanni Capellini Geology Collection focuses on Ice Age animals. The Botanical Garden and Herbarium also offer guided visits Saturday and Sunday at 11:00.

• San Giovanni in Persiceto - Planetarium

  Friday at 21:00 the Planetarium hosts "The Expanding Universe", an outreach talk on cosmic expansion led by Nicola Borghi, recommended for ages 12+. Saturday afternoon continues the series "Science and Women" with discussions linking science and philosophy.

How to join: many activities have limited capacity or require booking. Check times and participation rules on museum websites or contact the venues by email to confirm availability and ticketing. For a complete schedule consult the online museum agenda.