This important museum institution is located inside the old Santa Maria della Morte Hospital, and was opened in 1881.

The conspicuous repertory of materials on display has reached such enormous proportions thanks to the Palagi donations and the archeological excavations carried out by Giovanni Gozzadini in 1853 and by Antonio Zannoni in 1869.

By studying these precious artefacts with villanoviana and felisinea origins (both ancient civilsations from this area) it is possible to learn more about the phases of cultural evolution in Bologna from its origins right up to the Etruscan period, a period in which the city acquired the name of Felsina.

The Museum contains a lot of lapidary monuments, grave goods, Greek and Roman amphoras, ceramics, and votive bronzes.

The most important exhibits include an Etruscan bronze truncated cone shaped urn, and a unique example of an ivory stool dating back to the 5th century B.C.

An important section of the Museum is dedicated to a precious Egyptian collection, the second biggest in Italy, which contains sarcophagi, mummies, bronzes, ushebti (small funerary statues), beautiful statues in balck granite, and precious jewels.

The architecture of the interior courtyard is very beautiful and worth taking a look at, the cloisters and the Santa Maria della Morte Church face onto this courtyard.

Open Hours

Tues-Sat 9am-6:30pm; Sun 10am-6:30pm

Prices Admission

4€ ($5.20), free for children under 14

Transportation

Bus: A, B, 11, 13, or 14

Email: mca@comune.bologna.it

Website: http://www.comune.bologna.it/museoarcheologico/