Museo per la Memoria di Ustica
About This Museum
You might not expect to find a memorial to one of Italy's most haunting mysteries inside a former public transport depot, but that's the Museo per la Memoria di Ustica for you. It's dedicated entirely to the 1980 Ustica air disaster, a crash that claimed 81 lives and remains officially unsolved to this day. The heart of the place is the reconstructed wreckage of the DC-9 itself, a silent, mangled testament to the tragedy. Walking through, you're surrounded by an installation by French artist Christian Boltanski, where whispering voices and flickering lights create an atmosphere that is both deeply unsettling and profoundly respectful.
Collection Highlights
The main hall is dominated by the fuselage fragments, pieced together like a grim puzzle. Alongside them are personal effects recovered from the sea floor—a child's shoe, a suitcase—that make the loss heartbreakingly tangible. Boltanski's 'Les Ombres' installation, with its shadows and murmurs, gives a voice to the silence.
Visitor Information
It's tucked away on Via di Saliceto in Bologna, and it feels more like a quiet sanctuary than a traditional museum. They have specific opening hours, so it's best to check ahead for when you can visit. There's no charge for entry.
Architecture & Building
From the outside, it's an unassuming, almost anonymous industrial building—a simple brick box that was once a city bus depot. This stark exterior makes the powerful experience inside all the more surprising.
Contact & Location
Address: 3/22, Via di Saliceto, La Zucca, Quartiere Navile, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, 40128, Italia
Phone: +39 051 377680
Website: Visit Website
