Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna (National Gallery)

The collection began in 1762 when Monsignor Francesco Zambeccari donated some 16th century paintings to the Accademia Clementina. Originally, these paintings were part of a collection belonging to the prestigious Accademia dei Desiderosi, created by the Carracci family in 1582.

In 1803, the Accademia Clementina became the Accademia di Belle Arti, making the collection a Quadreria (or collection of paintings) along with the original artistic heritage, later expanded through further donations.

After the Institution was suppressed by Napoleonic troops, the most important works of art were sent to Paris and Milan (Musée Napoleon and what would later become the Accademia di Brera, respectively), where they were kept until the fall of the French Empire. They were then returned to the Quadreria, later known as the Pinacoteca.

That is how the base of the current collection was initially formed. The first catalogue of 274 paintings dates back to 1827.

Through further donations, the Bolognese Pinacoteca - already prestigious for its religious heritage - acquired many works of art from laymen and nobles, thus completing its collection between the 14th and 19th century. To date, the Pinacoteca di Bologna is considered one of the most modern and significant National Galleries in Europe.

It is considered one of the leading modern National Galleries and originally opened in 1885 after being separated from the Accademia.

The Pinacoteca was totally renovated in 1997 and at present it hosts 30 exhibition halls, the Sale delle Belle Arti and very modern rooms on the basement, where medium and large sized temporary exhibitions, didactic activities, seminars and conferences are held.

How to get there

by bus: lines and timetables on the website www.tper.it

by car: located in restricted traffic zone ZTL. Ring road exit n. 9 direction city center.

Entrance notes

COMBINED TICKET (PINACOTECA AND QUADRERIA ZAMBECCARI/PALAZZO PEPOLI CAMPOGRANDE): FULL € 6; REDUCED € 3

Tickets can be purchased in one of the two museums, is valid for the second museum on same or different day.

full € 6.00;
reduced € 3.00 for visitors aged 18 to 25 (only for European Community citizens), full-time teachers;
free admission for Musei Metropolitani Card owners (valid after 1 July 2017), minors under 18 years (only for European Community citizens) and Bologna Welcome Card owners; University professors and students of Architecture, Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Letters and Philosophy (Archeology, History of Art), Academy of Fine Arts; tour guides while in service; tour interpreters, while in service; journalists, while in service; members of Mibac (Ministry of Cultural Heritage); members of I.C.O.M. (International Council of Museums); student groups from public and private schools, with their teachers; the disabled and one helper; volunteers of cultural heritage associations; free admission for all visitors on the first Sunday of each month. Free admission for women on International Women's Day, March 8.

To have your free or reduced ticket please present proof of your specific category at the ticket desk.

GROUPS ADMITTED
Groups up to 30 people are accepted, larger groups will be split into smaller groups; free entrance for one group guide of groups of 20 or more people; reservations are recommended