Museo Civico Medievale

The Museo Civico Medievale is housed in the fifteenth-century Palazzo Ghisilardi Fava at Via Manzoni 4 in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, about eight minutes' walk north-west of Piazza Maggiore. The museum displays medieval and Renaissance art, sculpture, armour, ivories, bronzes and manuscripts, with a distinguished collection of tomb sculpture from the Bolognese university professors of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The tombs of the law doctors, carved with scenes of lecturing and students attending, give a vivid picture of the university's early days. The palazzo itself, with its courtyard and decorated rooms, forms part of the attraction. Among the exhibits visitors will find the bronze statue of Pope Boniface VIII from the city's former civic buildings, an extensive group of armour and weapons, and collections of devotional objects and decorative arts. The visit takes about one to 1.5 hours. Rooms are generally quiet and rarely crowded, which makes the museum a calm break from the busier sights of the centre. Natural light in the courtyard is good for photography, while display cases inside call for a steady hand. Opening is Tuesday to Sunday and holidays from 10AM to 6:30PM, closed Monday. Admission is about EUR 6, with reduced fares around EUR 3, free with the Card Musei Metropolitani, and often free on the first Sunday of the month. Confirm the current price and any age limits at museibologna.it before visiting. A weekday late morning is the best time, avoiding school groups in the early morning. The museum pairs well with the Archiginnasio and the Neptune Fountain, which are within a short walk.