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Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna: A Treasury of Emilian Art

Explore centuries of Emilian art at Bologna's Pinacoteca Nazionale, home to masterpieces from the 13th to 18th centuries.

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The Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna, located in the city's university district, is a premier art gallery showcasing Emilian paintings from the 13th to the 18th centuries. Housed in a former Jesuit novitiate, the museum offers a journey through the region's artistic evolution, featuring works by local masters and other Italian artists.

A brief summary to Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna

  • Tuesday 9 am-7 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-7 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-7 pm
  • Friday 9 am-7 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-11 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-7 pm

Local tips

  • Visit on the first Sunday of the month for free admission.
  • Allow at least 2-3 hours to fully appreciate the extensive collection.
  • Check the museum's website for temporary exhibitions and events.
  • The gallery is accessible to visitors with walking disabilities.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Two Towers, walk north along Via Zamboni for about 10 minutes. The Pinacoteca Nazionale will be on your right, at Via delle Belle Arti, 56. No costs involved.

  • Public Transport

    From Bologna Centrale railway station, take bus number 32, 36 (direction Bellaria), or 37 (direction Bombicci) and get off at the Porta San Donato stop. Alternatively, take the C line and get off at the Teatro Comunale stop. From there, it's a short walk to Via delle Belle Arti, 56. A single bus ticket costs €2.30.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are available at Piazza Maggiore or the train station. A taxi ride from Piazza Maggiore to the Pinacoteca Nazionale will cost approximately €8-€12, depending on traffic. Bologna taxi fares have a base fare during the day of €3.40, and a rate of €1.25 per km.

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Discover more about Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna

The Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna is a must-visit for art enthusiasts seeking to immerse themselves in the rich artistic heritage of the Emilia-Romagna region. Located in the heart of Bologna's university district, the gallery occupies the former Jesuit novitiate of Sant'Ignazio, a 17th-century building repurposed during the Napoleonic era. The museum's collection spans from the 13th to the 18th centuries, with a focus on Emilian painting. Visitors can admire masterpieces by local artists such as Vitale da Bologna, the Carracci brothers (Annibale, Agostino, and Ludovico), Guido Reni, and Guercino. The gallery also features works by other Italian masters like Giotto and Raphael. The Pinacoteca's collection is organized into thematic sections, each dedicated to a specific period or artistic movement. Highlights include Giotto's polyptych, frescoes from the church of Santa Maria di Mezzaratta, Raphael's *Ecstasy of St. Cecilia*, and the Carraccis' contributions to the Baroque style. Founded in 1808, the Pinacoteca's collection grew substantially following the Napoleonic suppressions of churches and convents. The gallery opened to the public in 1885 and underwent a complete renovation in 1997, transforming it into a modern and accessible museum. Today, the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna is recognized as one of Italy's most important national galleries, combining the display, safeguarding, preservation, and study of historic and cultural heritage.

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