Bologna City Art Collections

The Bologna City Art Collections occupy the second floor of Palazzo d'Accursio and present paintings, sculptures, and decorative objects made from the 13th century onwards. The works by regional artists are displayed in the palazzo's original chambers, where frescoes on the ceilings preserve the building's former grandeur.

The collection grew from donations by noble families and purchases made by Bologna's municipal government during the 19th and 20th centuries. These holdings document the artistic development of the region from the late medieval period through modern times.

The displayed works reflect the artistic tradition of the Emilia region, with religious paintings and furnishings from different periods that show how local artists created over centuries. The rooms themselves tell of the lifestyle of noble families who once lived here and left their collections behind.

Visitors should be aware that the collections spread across several levels of the historic palazzo with stairs between sections, so allow time for exploring at your own pace. Combination tickets let you also visit the medieval clock tower attached to the building, giving a fuller picture of the palazzo complex.

The museum keeps its artworks in grand rooms decorated with frescoed ceilings that convey the original character of aristocratic living spaces. This approach makes visiting much more than viewing objects alone, instead offering a sense of stepping into the actual rooms where collectors once lived.

Location: Bologna

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Part of: Musei civici d'arte antica di Bologna, Settore Musei Civici Bologna

Address: Piazza Maggiore, 6, 40121 Bologna BO

Phone: +390512193631

Email: museiarteantica@comune.bologna.it

Website: http://museibologna.it/arteantica/luoghi/53004/offset/0/id/36144

GPS coordinates: 44.49383,11.34240

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:44