Palazzo Pepoli Bologna: Museum of the History of Bologna — Tickets, Hours & What to See

Palazzo Pepoli on Via Castiglione houses the Museum of the History of Bologna — 2,500 square metres of exhibition space tracing Bologna’s fascinating history from its Etruscan origins as Felsina through the Roman period, the medieval university, the Renaissance, and into the modern city. The building itself is part of the experience: a 14th-century palazzo renovated by architect Mario Bellini and opened in 2012, combining medieval structure with contemporary design. It is part of the Genus Bononiae network of city museums and sits a seven-minute walk from Piazza Maggiore.

What’s Inside

The permanent exhibition runs chronologically through over 2,500 years of the city’s development. Highlights include:

• Etruscan and Roman Bologna — archaeological finds from the pre-Roman settlement of Felsina and the Roman colony of Bononia, including ceramics, inscriptions, and urban plans
• Medieval Bologna — the rise of the university (founded 1088, the oldest in Europe), the tower-building culture, and the city’s political history. Bologna was home to over 100 towers at its medieval peak; the UNESCO-listed porticoes have their roots in this period
• Renaissance and Papal Bologna — the city under Papal rule from 1506, its artistic and architectural output, and the legacy of the Bentivoglio family
• The Tower of Time — a striking installation by Mario Bellini that runs through the centre of the building, visually connecting all floors and periods of the exhibition
• Modern Bologna — the industrial era, the Resistance, and the city’s post-war identity as a UNESCO City of Music and one of Italy’s most liveable cities

Multimedia installations and interactive displays run throughout — the museum is designed to be accessible for visitors without specialist knowledge of Italian history. An audioguide is included in the standard ticket price.

Practical Information

• Address: Via Castiglione 8, 40124 Bologna — 7 minutes’ walk from Piazza Maggiore
• Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–19:00; closed Monday
• Full ticket: €10 (audioguide included)
• Reduced: €7 (over 65, groups of 10+); €5 (Bologna residents, students with card)
• Free: children under 12, disabled visitors and one companion, Card Cultura holders, Bologna Welcome Card holders
• Time needed: 1.5–2 hours for the permanent exhibition
• On-site: Cafè del Museo and museum shop
• Website: palazzopepoli.it

How to Get There

Via Castiglione runs south from Piazza Maggiore — the palazzo is on the left about 400 metres from the piazza. On foot from the historic centre: 7 minutes from Piazza Maggiore, 10 minutes from the Due Torri. By bus: lines 11, 14, and 27 stop on Via Castiglione. No dedicated parking; the ZTL covers this part of the centre.

Palazzo Pepoli in Context

The museum works well as an introduction to Bologna before exploring the city on foot — understanding the medieval street plan, the university quarter, and the tower history makes walking through Bologna’s cultural landscape more meaningful. It pairs naturally with a visit to Palazzo d’Accursio on Piazza Maggiore, which covers the civic history of the city from the medieval period onwards.

For visitors planning a broader journey through Italy and weighing up Modena, Bologna, and Parma, the museum provides the clearest single-visit overview of what makes Bologna distinct. For a broader look at what to do in the city, see our things to do in Bologna guide. Food plays a central role in the city’s identity — our Bologna food tour covers the markets, salumerie, and producers that shape the city’s reputation as La Grassa.

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