WDEC 2024 in the Metropolitan City of Bologna

Discover the WDEC program in the cities of Bologna, Imola, Medicina, and Persiceto in Italy.

The Metropolitan City of Bologna and the Bologna Civic Museums Sector for the first time promote a coordinated program of initiatives among the four cemeteries in the Bologna area recognized as "monumental and historic cemeteries of Emilia-Romagna" according to Regional Law 21/2022: the Certosa Monumental Cemetery in Bologna, the Piratello Cemetery in Imola, the Cemetery of Medicina, and the Cemetery of San Giovanni in Persiceto.

Here is the complete programme:

BOLOGNA

Friday, May 24, 2 p.m.
Tombs of the twentieth century: memory and custody
Volunteers from the Associazione Amici della Certosa, together with students from the Liceo Artistico Arcangeli high school, present their testimonies of participation in the "Tombe '900" project that was carried out on 10 monumental tombs. A walk to discover sculptures and architecture from the last century.
Meeting organized by the Associazione Amici della Certosa in collaboration with Museo civico del Risorgimento, Liceo Artistico Arcangeli and Bologna Servizi Cimiteriali.
Reservations required by writing to amicidellacertosa@gmail.com.
Meet at the Info Point at the main entrance (church courtyard, north portico), Via della Certosa 18.
Admission: free

Friday, May 24, 5 p.m.
Diverdeinverde in Certosa | Ornamental greenery and phytomorphic decoration in the cemetery of Bologna
A visit to the Certosa, with Roberto Martorelli, dedicated to the peculiarities of the cemetery's ornamental greenery and phytomorphic decorations, with a symbolic character, found in funerary monuments.
Participation is reserved for Diverdeinverde card holders, with reservations required at www.diverdeinverde.fondazionevillaghigi.it.
As part of Diverdeinverde - Open Gardens of the City and the Hill. In collaboration with the Museo civico del Risorgimento and Bologna Servizi Cimiteriali.
Meet at the main entrance (church courtyard), Via della Certosa 18.
Admission: with Diverdeinverde card

Friday, May 24, 8:30 p.m.
Facts and misdeeds in Certosa: one Cemetery, many stories
In this tour inaugurating Mirarte's summer season, like an ancient book, the Charterhouse opens before your eyes revealing fascinating and incredible stories. Like the different chapters of an ancient text, we will go to explore its many aspects and thus discover a Noir Charterhouse with its crimes, a funny Charterhouse made of surreal anecdotes, a romantic and passionate Certosa, and a Famous Charterhouse with its best-known characters. A journey through silent cloisters and white statues that stand out in the darkness of the night, discovering the magic of this extraordinary place.
Guided tour by Mirarte.
Reservations required at www.mirartecoop.it.
Meet at the main entrance (church courtyard), Via della Certosa 18.
Admission: € 13.00 full / € 8.00 reduced (children 6-12 years, people with disabilities) (for each paying admission two euros will be donated to the enhancement of the Certosa Monumental Cemetery)

Saturday, May 25, 10:30 a.m.
Truth or Lies?
"To see, by reading the inscriptions, so many virtuous, beloved, regretful creatures, one would be tempted to believe that the best half of mankind ascended to heaven and left nothing on earth but rejection." So wrote Basile Joseph Ducos after his visit to the Certosa in Bologna between 1819 and 1820. Together with Roberto Martorelli we will stroll through the cemetery-now a UNESCO World Heritage Site-to find out if indeed epigraphs always tell the truth...
Guided tour by the Associazione Amici della Certosa in collaboration with the Museo civico del Risorgimento.
Reservation required by writing to prenotazionicertosa@gmail.com. Email confirmation of reservation is required.
Meet at the main entrance (church courtyard), Via della Certosa 18.
Admission: € 8.00 (payment preferable with cash)

Sunday, May 26, 3 p.m.
Painters' lives - glimpses of Bolognese painting aloud
An itinerary through the monumental cemetery-now a Unesco heritage site as part of the Portici di Bologna-with researchers and readers from the Associazione Amici della Certosa, in collaboration with Mara Guerrini's School of Painting. Discovering and re-discovering the many men and women whose brushes have marked the history of painting in Bologna and beyond. Accompanied by Lucia Vanghi.
Route organized by the Associazione Amici della Certosa in collaboration with the Museo civico del Risorgimento.
Reservations required by writing to amicidellacertosa@gmail.com or 345 2699200 (WhatsApp only).
Admission: free offer (free for members of the Associazione Amici della Certosa)

Wednesday, May 29, 6:30 p.m.
101 things to know about the Certosa
The most fascinating masterpieces, cloisters and galleries, artists and celebrities. A sunset walk with Roberto Martorelli to discover the 101 things you absolutely must know about the monumental cemetery, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
Guided tour organized by the Associazione Amici della Certosa in collaboration with the Museo civico del Risorgimento.
Reservations required by writing to prenotazionicertosa@gmail.com. It is necessary to receive an email of successful reservation.
Meet at the main entrance (church courtyard), Via della Certosa 18.
Admission: € 8.00 (payment preferable with cash)

Wednesday, May 29, 9 p.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 13, 8:30 p.m.
101 things to know about the Charterhouse
The most fascinating masterpieces, cloisters and galleries, artists and celebrities. A nighttime walk with Roberto Martorelli to discover the 101 things you absolutely must know about the monumental cemetery, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bring a led light or turn on the one on your smartphone, you'll need it.
Guided tour organized by the Associazione Amici della Certosa in collaboration with the Museo civico del Risorgimento.
Reservation required by writing to prenotazionicertosa@gmail.com. You must receive an email of successful reservation.
Meet at the main entrance (church courtyard), Via della Certosa 18.
Admission: € 8.00 (payment preferable with cash)

Saturday, June 1, 2 p.m. and August 31, 3 p.m.
All the Women of the Charterhouse
The epigraphs of the silent city often remember women as wives, consorts, spouses, sisters. But there are memories of their contribution to society, so we find Brigida, Gualberta, Lina, Tommasina. A walk with Roberto Martorelli through the Monumental Cemetery, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Guided tour by the Associazione Amici della Certosa with the Museo civico del Risorgimento. 
Reservations required by writing to prenotazionicertosa@gmail.com. It is necessary to receive an email of successful reservation.
Meet at the main entrance (church courtyard), Via della Certosa 18.
Admission: € 8.00 (payment preferable with cash)

Sunday, June 2, 3 p.m.
Cemetery bestiary | discovering the Carthusian undergrowth
Cemeteries are areas of high biodiversity; it is not uncommon to come across guardian felines among loculi, squirrels squeaking among yews and cypresses, birds finding refreshment in the silence. Symbology and funerary iconography intersect with the animal kingdom, giving rise to a fantastic undergrowth of stone creatures with adventures and secrets to tell. Among owls and ophids, peacocks and moths, mysterious creatures, explorers and experiments, a walk to discover the cemetery bestiary that animates the Charterhouse. Route also suitable for children with Manuela Capece. 
Meeting organized by thenAssociazione Amici della Certosa, in collaboration with Museo del Risorgimento and Bologna Servizi Cimiteriali.
Reservations required by writing to amicidellacertosa@gmail.com.
Meet at the main entrance (church courtyard), Via della Certosa 18.
Admission: free offer (free for members of the Associazione Amici della Certosa)

MEDICINA

Sunday, May 26, 3 p.m.
Women of the lowlands, large and small stories of the Medicina community
A walk to discover some of the figures who contributed to the History of their community. 
The guided tour was organized by the Municipality of Medicina in collaboration with the Museo civico del Risorgimento di Bologna.
Meet at the entrance of the Medicina Cemetery, Via della Resistenza 322.
Admission: free

Friday, May 31, 8:45 p.m.
Ornamental and symbolic greenery. The presence of plants and flowers in cemeteries
A moment dedicated to the peculiarities of ornamental greenery in silent cities and the symbolism present in funerary monuments. 
Meeting organized by the Municipality of Medicina in collaboration with the Museo civico del Risorgimento di Bologna.
Meeting at the Sala del Camino of the Library, via Pillio 1. 
Admission: free

Sunday, June 2, 3 p.m.
Stories and people of the city of Medicina
A walk to discover the historic center of Medicina, starting from the memories and monuments of the center will reach the cemetery, where interesting memories of local history are preserved.
Guided tour by the Municipality of Medicina in collaboration with the Museo civico del Risorgimento di Bologna.
Meet at the former Lavatoio, Via dell'Osservanza.
Admission: free


SAN GIOVANNI IN PERSICETO

Sunday, May 26, 3:30 p.m.
Stories of women
A walk through the Monumental Cemetery to discover some female figures whose resourcefulness and modernity made them examples to follow in the 19th century. Singers, entrepreneurs, teachers, doctors or artisans, women whose work contributed to the social transformation of San Giovanni in Persiceto from a country village to a city. 
Reservations required at IAT Persiceto: 051 6812955 or cultura.turismo@comunepersiceto.it.
Meet in front of the Monumental Cemetery entrance, Circonvallazione Vittorio Veneto 24.
Admission: € 10.00 / € 5.00 (children from 7 years old)

Sunday, June 2, 3:30 p.m.
Immortal gardens
The ornamental greenery in the cloisters of the Monumental Cemetery of San Giovanni in Persiceto dialogues with the symbolic friezes of lush fruits and flowers, carved or cast in bronze, so beautiful as to suggest the rustling of foliage, the colors and lights, the scent and refreshment of a real garden. The many faces of plants will be told through funerary symbolism, myth and botany.
Reservations required at IAT Persiceto: 051 6812955 or cultura.turismo@comunepersiceto.it.
Meet in front of the Monumental Cemetery entrance, Circonvallazione Vittorio Veneto 24.
Admission: € 10.00 / € 5.00 (children 7 and under)

IMOLA

Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Women and botany in history and art in Imola and beyond
A journey of memory to discover the female figures and botany included and depicted within the monumental cemetery of Piratello.
Guided tour organized by the Municipality of Imola.
Reservations required at 0542 602609 or musei@comune.imola.bo.it by noon on Friday, May 31 (max 25 people per group).
Meet in front of the Piratello Monumental Cemetery office building, Via Emilia Ponente 19A.
Admission: free