Museum
Certosa di Bologna
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Certosa di Bologna is a vast monumental cemetery located just outside the city center, founded in 1801 on the site of a former Carthusian monastery. It is renowned for its remarkable collection of 19th and early 20th-century sculptures, mausoleums, and funerary art, making it an open-air museum of neoclassical, art nouveau, and symbolic styles. The cemetery is divided into cloisters, galleries, and garden areas, each with its own character. Notable tombs include those of famous Bolognese figures such as composer Gioachino Rossini and painter Giorgio Morandi. The museum within the Certosa displays artifacts and documents related to the cemetery's history and the city's burial traditions. A visit here offers a serene, reflective experience amid artistic masterpieces.
Don't miss
- The monumental entrance with a neoclassical pronaos.
- The tomb of Gioachino Rossini, marked by a large bronze bust.
- The 'Chiostro delle Statue' (Cloister of Statues) with life-sized marble figures.
- The 'Galleria delle Tombe' (Gallery of Tombs), a covered walkway with elaborate memorials.
- The museum housed in the former monastery's refectory.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Certosa di Bologna
You can visit Certosa di Bologna on your own. A guide mainly adds context, what you are looking at and why it matters, and a tour can add transport or combine nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inBologna Walking Tour with Audio and Written Guide4.6★ · 159 travelers~4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$8 per personSee dates →
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Private & flexibleHistoric Center Walking Tour in Bologna5★ · 12 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$29 per personSee dates →More attractions in Bologna