Certosa di Bologna, Monumental cemetery in Bologna, Italy.
Certosa di Bologna is a monastic complex and cemetery in Bologna, Italy. The architecture includes several cloisters, chapels, and covered galleries that spread across the grounds, connecting different burial areas through a network of walkways.
A Carthusian monastery was founded here in 1334 and served as a retreat for monks for over four centuries. Napoleon dissolved the monastery, and the grounds became a municipal cemetery starting in 1801.
The site serves as an open-air museum of Italian sculpture, with many visitors exploring the tombs and monuments to see works by renowned artists. The complex draws art students and historians who come to study the stone carving techniques and decorative styles on display throughout the grounds.
Visits take place through guided walks that begin at Via della Certosa 18 and must be booked in advance by email. The tour follows the covered passages and provides access to multiple sections of the grounds.
Archaeologists uncovered an Etruscan burial ground from the seventh to third centuries BCE during excavations in 1869. The discovery shows that the site has been used for burials since ancient times.
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