Thanks to an initiative promoted by the Ministry of Culture, it has become standard practice in recent years to be able to explore state museums and archaeological sites free of charge on the first Sunday of the month.
If you are a fan of ‘Domenica al Museo’ (Sunday at the Museum), you may be interested to know that some cultural sites in Emilia-Romagna are free to enter all year round, not just on the first Sunday of the month.
Collezione Maramotti | Reggio Emilia
The Collezione Maramotti is housed in the former Max Mara production facility in Reggio Emilia, a place that saw the birth and growth of the famous fashion house founded by Achille Maramotti. This extraordinary exhibition includes over 200 works of contemporary art, carefully selected during the second half of the 20th century.
The main objective of the permanent collection is to offer a fascinating account of the most advanced artistic trends from 1945 to the present day. The works on display include masterpieces by some of the greatest Italian and international artists of our time, including prominent figures such as Burri and Basquiat.
Admission to the Maramotti Collection is free and the visit is guided, available by reservation for a maximum of 25 visitors at a time. A unique opportunity to immerse yourself in contemporary art and discover Achille Maramotti’s extraordinary artistic vision.
Museo del Tricolore | Reggio Emilia
A space where the history of the Italian flag intertwines with the events of the city. Completely free of charge, the Museo del Tricolore is located inside the Palazzo del Comune, in the heart of Reggio Emilia.
The building also houses the famous Sala del Tricolore, the place where the symbol of the Cispadane Republic was first adopted.
Along the way, there are many materials and memorabilia that tell the story of the birth of the green, white and red flag, juxtaposed with contemporary works of art.
Palazzo dei Musei | Reggio Emilia
Located in the central Piazza Martiri, the Palazzo dei Musei in Reggio Emilia is divided into numerous sections, spread over several floors, inside a former Franciscan convent.
The first nucleus of the museum was established in 1830 with the private collection of Lazzaro Spallanzani, a well-known 18th-century biologist from Scandiano.
Today, the galleries house a rich collection of artefacts that tell the compelling story of the Reggio Emilia area, spanning a period from prehistory to the present day.
The rooms on the second and top floors, renovated in 2005 by the brilliant architect Italo Rota, offer visitors a fascinating journey into the world of photography.
Here, you can admire the extraordinary works of Luigi Ghirri and immerse yourself in the rich heritage of European photography. A unique experience that combines past and present, enriching your cultural knowledge with the timeless beauty of history and visual art.
MAST | Bologna
MAST (Manufacturing Arts, Experimentation and Technology) is an innovative museum complex designed by the Coesia Group, located in a redeveloped industrial area in the Reno district of Bologna, adjacent to the historic GD factory.
This unique structure consists of an interactive section dedicated to exploration and entertainment, alongside a space for periodic exhibitions of industrial photography. Its main purpose is to bring visitors closer to the evolutionary processes that characterise the world of work, exploring the concept of entrepreneurship in the light of the latest technologies.
The MAST exhibition offers a wide range of devices, tools, multimedia stations and installations, designed to provide an engaging and educational experience. Access to exhibitions at MAST is always free of charge.
Casa Morandi | Bologna
The Casa Morandi experience offers an authentic immersion into the life and art of Giorgio Morandi, the famous Bolognese painter who lived in this residence from 1933 to 1964.
Located in the studio at Via Fondazza 36, visitors have the opportunity to contemplate the artist’s everyday working tools, such as vases, bottles and shells, along with furniture, family furnishings and part of his precious collection of ancient artworks.
An evocative tour, enriched by audio and video installations, tells the painter’s personal story, offering an engaging and informative experience. Admission to Casa Morandi is free, but it is strongly recommended to book tickets online in advance to avoid any waiting time during your visit.
Museo degli Sguardi | Rimini
The Museo degli Sguardi in Rimini is one of Italy’s most significant collections dedicated to the ethnological and archaeological cultures of Africa, Oceania and pre-Columbian America.
Located inside Villa Alvarado on the hill of Covignano, the museum’s scientific project is the result of the work of renowned anthropologist Marc Augé.
The exhibition displays artefacts collected during the travels of Venetian collector Delfino Dinz Rialto, alongside works from the missions of the Franciscan Friars, the Ugo Canepa Pre-Columbian Archaeological Collection in Biella and a small Amazonian collection donated by Bruno Fusconi of Cesena.
The museum offers a privileged insight into the contacts between the Western world and other cultures, evoking the “cabinets of curiosities” and ethnological museums of the 19th century, up to 20th-century Primitivism.
Admission to the museum is free, but visits are by appointment only.
I Luoghi dell'Anima | Pennabilli (Rimini)
The Luoghi dell’Anima (Places of the Soul), a project conceived by Romagna poet Tonino Guerra, is a widespread museum comprising seven museums distributed throughout the territory of Pennabilli and the Upper Valmarecchia.
This unique initiative brings together installations, paintings, sculptures and ceramics, each identified with a specific name: The Garden of Forgotten Fruits, The Road of Sundials, The Petrified Garden, The Angel with a Moustache, The Sanctuary of Thoughts, The Refuge of Abandoned Madonnas and The Madonna of the Snow Rectangle.
Each place in this circuit contributes in a unique way to a common goal: to stimulate the imagination and emotions of visitors.
The works, mostly exhibited outdoors, are accessible free of charge every day from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Author
Elisa Mazzini
Social Media Manager for @inEmiliaRomagna and full-time mom.
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