National Museum Day 2023

Every year on May 18, the National Museum Day is celebrated in Italy, a special occasion to visit museums throughout the country free of charge or with discounted rates. This initiative was established in 1977 by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, with the aim of promoting knowledge and enhancement of the Italian cultural heritage and raising awareness of the importance of museums as a tool for the protection of history and art.

On the occasion of the National Museum Day, museums around the country organize special events, such as guided tours, educational workshops, concerts and temporary exhibitions. This allows visitors to discover or rediscover the beauty of Italian cultural heritage in a festive and welcoming.

The National Museum Day has been a great success over the years, registering an increasing number of visitors. This shows how important culture is for the Italian population and how fundamental is the protection and enhancement of the country’s cultural heritage. In addition, the National Museum Day is an opportunity for museums to make themselves known to a wider audience and to promote their activity effectively. In fact, many people who do not usually attend museums, during this day decide to visit them, thus discovering the beauty of the Italian cultural heritage.

In conclusion, the National Museum Day is an important opportunity to promote culture and knowledge of Italian cultural heritage.

Bologna is a city full of museums that offer visitors the opportunity to discover the history, art and culture of the city and the surrounding region. Here are some of the most important museums in Bologna:                                            

1. Civic Archaeological Museum of Bologna: located in the historic center of the city, the Civic Archaeological Museum of Bologna houses an extensive collection of archaeological finds from the city and surrounding areas. Among the most important pieces are the remains of Etruscans and Romans, such as the painted tombs of Tarquinia and the statue of Augustus.
2. Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna: located in the prestigious Piazza Maggiore, the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna houses one of the most important collections of paintings in Italy. Among the most famous works are the “Two Madonnas” by Raphael and the “Stigmata of San Francesco” by Giotto.
3. Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna (mambo): located in the university area of Bologna, the mambo houses a collection of Italian and international modern and contemporary art. Among the artists in the collection are Giorgio Morandi, Alberto Burri, Lucio Fontana and Yves Klein.
4. Bologna History Museum: located inside the Palazzo Pepoli Vecchio, the Museum of History of Bologna tells the history of the city from the Middle Ages to the present day. Among the objects on display are the “Stories of San Petronio”, a cycle of frescoes of the fourteenth century that tell the life of the patron saint of Bologna.
5. Industrial Heritage Museum: located in the industrial area of the city, the Industrial Heritage Museum tells the history of Bolognese industry from the nineteenth century to the present day. Among the exhibitions there are machinery, tools and objects related to the production of bikes, engines and other artifacts.

These are just some of the most important museums in Bologna, but the city is home to many more that deserve to be visited, such as the Music Museum, the Cathedral Museum and the Palazzo Poggi Museum. Discover online promotions and exhibitions of these special days in Bologna on Musei Civici Bologna or Musei di Bologna.