Museo della Storia di Bologna (Palazzo Pepoli)

The Museo della Storia di Bologna occupies Palazzo Pepoli at Via Castiglione 8, five minutes east of Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna. The medieval and Renaissance palazzo, once the home of a powerful banking family, has been converted into a multimedia museum that traces the story of the city from its Etruscan and Roman origins through the medieval university, the age of the communes and papal rule, to the modern era. Rather than rooms of display cases, the museum uses projections, reconstructions, film and interactive screens, with objects and models placed alongside. Visitors move through themed rooms covering Felsina, the Etruscan precursor of Bologna, the Roman Bononia, the rise of the university, the medieval towers, the Renaissance and the twentieth century. An audio guide is included, so visitors should bring a smartphone and earphones. The visit lasts about 90 minutes to two hours. The palazzo itself is worth attention for its courtyard and painted ceilings, and a rooftop vantage and cafe are sometimes available. Tickets cost EUR 10, with reduced rates of EUR 7 or EUR 5 for seniors, groups, students and residents, free entry for children under 12, and free entry with the Bologna Welcome Card. The museum is a good overview before walking the old town, and works well in bad weather. Weekday mornings are the quietest, while rainy afternoons and holidays can fill the rooms. Opening days vary, with one weekday closure, so confirm at palazzopepoli.it before visiting. Photography is generally allowed for personal use without flash.