Palazzo d’Accursio is one of the main historic buildings. Do not miss for any reason such an important place in the history and tradition of Bologna!
Palazzo d'Accursio in a nutshell
The suggestive architecture and the location, face right on Piazza Maggiore, make it one of the most significant places in Bologna. In addition to home the city government, Palazzo d’Accursio also houses the Collezioni Comunali d’Arte museum .
If to admire his façade isn0t enough you can visit it from the inside, in this case do not miss to see the Sala D’Ercole , the Sala del Comunale, the Sala Farnese and the Cappella Farnese.
Hours and Cost
Entrance to Palazzo d’Accursio
- Tuesday to Friday: 09.00 – 18.30
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 – 18:30
- Monday closed
Free entry
The rooms can be visited during opening hours if free
Admission to Collezioni Comunali d’Arte: 5 euros
Where Is
Piazza Maggiore, 6, 40121 Bologna, Italy
Sala d'Ercole
The beautiful Sala d’Ercole takes its name from the work of Alfonso Lombardi and is part of the oldest section of the building. In addition to its architecture, the hall attracts visitors due to the beautiful works of art on display.
In particular we point out:
- The “Fontaine des Innocents” by Jean Goujon
- The “Madonna del Terremoto”, fresco by Francesco Francia
- The two busts representing the highly esteemed Bolognese mayors Francesco Zanardi and Giuseppe Dozza made by the hand of Luciano Minguzzi
Sala Rossa
The room called “Red” for the color of the tapestry was the place reserved for meetings of the city Senate. Now this beautiful hall is used to officiate weddings. The finely decorated barrel vaults make it a wonderful location for such a special event.
Sala e Cappella Farnese
©Bologna-Guide.com
The Farnese room was formerly known as “Reggia” is on the second floor of Palazzo d’Accursio and dates back to the same period as that of Ercole. The walls are decorated with magnificent frescoes that narrate the events that have marked the ancient history of Bologna.
The frescoes in the Farnese hall:
- San Petronio grants the Theodosian privilege
- The restitution of the Holy Blind of the Virgin Mary
- The entrance of Paolo III in Bologna
- Cardinal Albornoz examines the projects for the works at the Chiusa di Casalecchio and the Reno Canal,
- The Virgin of San Luca stops the rains
- Urban II blesses the sign of the cross
- Francesco I heals scrofula patients
- The coronation of Charles V in the Basilica of San Petronio
The Farnese Chapel opens on the room. Inside the frescoes of the celebrated mannerist Fontana stand out but the fame of the chapel derives from the historical importance that this place covers. In fact, in 1530, Charles V was crowned King of Italy.
Collezioni Comunali d'Arte Museum
©Bologna-Guide.com
On the second floor of Palazzo d’Accursio we find the Collezioni Comunali d’arte Museum in the rooms that were once reserved for the Pontifical Legates. Since 1932 the collections have collected objects donated to the city of Bologna that include not only paintings and sculptures but also furniture and accessories from the nineteenth and twentieth century.
These are the most important contributions that in the last two centuries have gone to constitute the Collezioni Comunali d’Arte:
- legacy of the painter Pelagio Palagi
- legacy of the sculptor Cincinnato Baruzzi
- legacy of Count Agostino Pepoli
- legacy of the nobleman Pietro Giacomo Rusconi and countess Luisa Verzaglia Rusconi
- legacy of the Marquis Carlo Alberto Pizzardi
- legacy of the Marquis Pier Ignazio Rusconi
Discover more read: best museum in Bologna
Historical events: the Massacre of Palazzo d'Accursio
This building has a sad place in modern history since it was in 1920 the place of a civil clash that took the name of the Strage of Palazzo d’Accursio.
It was November 21 when the fascist action teams embarked on the attack, precisely during the inauguration ceremony of the new city council. The raiders fired on the crowd which met in Piazza Maggiore and some hand grenades are thrown inside the palace, the tragic toll stands at 10 dead and 14 wounded.
