The monumental complex of Santa Maria della Vita stands in the Quadrilatero, the beating heart of Bologna's historical centre. Inside the church in Bolognese Baroque style, whose dome was designed by Bibiena, is the famous Lamentation over the Dead Christ by Niccolò dell'Arca, dating back to the second half of the 15th century and called the “Scream of Stone” by Gabriele D'Annunzio.
Next to the church is the Oratory, where you can admire the sculptural group of the Transit of the Virgin by Alfonso Lombardi.
Today, the Oratory is the protagonist of a new exhibition that enhances the Transit of the Virgin with an evocative itinerary that allows visitors to observe the emotional details of Lombardi's sculptures. In addition, the exhibition spaces now house a permanent collection of works from the Art and History Collections of the Fondazione Carisbo, including Guercino's Sibilla Samia and Portia injuring herself in the leg by Elisabetta Sirani.
Finally, a multimedia room offers an engaging account of the history of the complex and the artistic thinking of Niccolò dell'Arca, creating a lively dialogue between past and present.
Map
Church of Santa Maria della Vita - Lamentation over the Dead Christ
Via Clavature, 10 - 40124
Telephone: +3905119936329
Site/minisite/other: https://genusbononiae.it/en/palazzi/santa-maria-della-vita/
Entrance
| Full price Compianto | €8 |
| Concession Compianto | €5 |
Tickets available at the entrance or online
Info by call center: mon-fri 9am-1pm, 2.30pm-4pm, +390552989 818 – email.
Free entrance (Chiesa di Santa Maria della Vita, Lamentation of the Death Christ, Oratory):
- Card Cultura holders
- Bologna Welcome Card holders
More info on website.
Interests
- Art & Culture
Details
Accessibility
Hearing disability
The museum is located in a consecrated church that must respect the times of the Mass. The entrance does not present any difficulty for the hearing impaired.
In the church work is in progress for the creation of descriptive panels for the chapel and the altar.
On the second floor there is the oratory from the imposing architecture that houses the temporary exhibitions and the painting "Il transito della vergine" ("The transit of the virgin") introduced by hall panels.
More information can be obtained via QRcode and the history of the building can be downloaded from the website.
Motor disability and difficulty of movement
The monumental complex of Santa Maria della Vita as a whole is accessible to everyone, but the visit to the famous Compianto sul Cristo Morto (Lamentation of the Dead Christ) by Niccolò dell'Arca is not accessible to people in wheelchairs or with serious problems of mobility.
Four consecutive steps, without a handrail nor aids to overcome them, must be taken to reach the sculptural group, placed to the right of the altar.
Insights
Starting from December 23, 2024, the visitor path at the Church of Santa Maria della Vita is renewed with the rooms of the Oratory, blending art, history, and spirituality. In addition to the famous Compianto sul Cristo morto by Niccolò dell'Arca, visitors can admire unpublished works by great Bolognese artists such as Guercino, Sirani, and Creti. The redesign includes the sculptural group Transito della Vergine by Alfonso Lombardi and a new multimedia room, which tells the history of the complex through projections and engaging narratives. A unique experience, also enhanced by the permanent display of the Jewel of the Sun King.
Timetables
| Monday | 10.00am - 6.30pm |
| Tuesday | 10am-6.30pm |
| Wednesday | 10am-6.30pm |
| Thursday | 10am-6.30pm |
| Friday | 10am-6.30pm |
| Saturday | 10am-6.30pm |
| Sunday | 10am-6.30pm |
Last admission at 6 PM.
The Oratory of the Church of Santa Maria della Vita is open and can be visited. For information on opening hours, visit the official website.
Liturgical celebration times:
Sundays at 6.30 pm. In July and August, Holy Mass is not celebrated.
