Palazzo Pepoli - Museo della Storia di Bologna
About This Museum
What truly sets this museum apart is its focus not on a single era or artifact, but on the entire living, breathing story of Bologna itself. Housed within a beautifully restored medieval palace, it uses a stunning mix of traditional relics and high-tech multimedia to bring the city's past to life. You'll wander from Etruscan foundations to the rise of the university and the secrets of its famous porticoes. It feels less like a static exhibition and more like a journey through time, all contained within the ancient walls of a noble family's home.
Collection Highlights
Don't miss the breathtaking central 'Tower of Time', a modern glass and steel sculpture rising through the palace core, or the detailed model of Bologna as it looked in the Middle Ages. One of the most memorable exhibits uses projections and sound to explore the city's unique network of canals, which still run hidden beneath your feet.
Visitor Information
It's surprisingly engaging, even if you're not a history buff—the multimedia elements are clever and immersive. Give yourself a good two hours to properly absorb it all; it's easy to lose track of time wandering through the beautifully lit rooms.
Architecture & Building
The building itself is a treasure, a medieval palace that belonged to the powerful Pepoli family, where historic vaulted ceilings and frescoes seamlessly blend with contemporary architectural interventions.
Contact & Location
Address: 10, Via Castiglione, Quadrilatero, Santo Stefano, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, 40124, Italia
Phone: +39 051 658 3111
Website: Visit Website
