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

WDEC 2023 at Certosa, Bologna Monumental Cemetery

We present you the program of events that will take place in Bologna, Italy, during the WDEC 2023.

The Certosa of Bologna summer calendar, the programme of cultural events curated by the Civic Museum of the Risorgimento with the contribution of Bologna Servizi Cimiteriali, returns from May 27th to November 2nd to enhance and promote the knowledge of the historical, artistic and architectural heritage enclosed in the city monumental cemetery.

Highlighting its involvement in an international network for the enhancement of historic cemeteries, the Bolognese event starts on the occasion of the annual Week of Discovering European Cemeteries, organized by the ASCE – Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe to raise the awareness of European citizens on the importance of cemeteries, and present them from a different perspective to all their visitors.

Here is the programme of the events during WDEC 2023:

Saturday, May 27th, 10 AM | Laboratory
Certosa, Graves from the XX century (Tombe ‘900): memory and conservation

The volunteers from the Amici della Certosa Association, along with the students from the Arcangeli Art School of Bologna, present an account of their participation in the “Graves from the XX century (Tombe ‘900)” project, which was completed on 8 grave monuments.The Certosa, which hosts the majority of Bolognese families from the past, is an architectural work of a great artistic and historic value. The graves located here, which are actual funerary artworks, gain the title of MOMENTUM, which in Latin means MEMORY, a place of memory and testimony for future generations.

The project by the Amici della Certosa Association of Bologna wants to start from focusing on unique, significant graves from the XX century and then create a bridge between past, present and future, to preserve over time the MEMORY that was delivered to us, through the direct and collective participation of citizens (members and students).

Curated by Francisco Pérez and Lucia Vanghi from the Amici della Certosa Association, in partnership with the Arcangeli Art School (4D class) and the Civic Museum of the Risorgimento of Bologna.
Meeting at 9.45 AM at the historic-artistic Info Point (main entrance: churchyard), Via della Certosa 18.
Compulsory reservation to be made via e-mail, at the following address: amicidellacertosa@gmail.com.
Entrance: free

Sunday, May 28th, 10 AM | Guided tour
Bruno Boari – a low-profile artist

A journey with Roberto Martorelli and Angela Madesani, author of the monographic volume “Bruno Boari. Un artista sottovoce” (Nomos Edizioni, 2022), dedicated to the sculptor Bruno Boari (1896-1964).

We will retrace his intense activity, which lasted over 40 years and saw him engaging with different techniques: from sculpture to medal design, painting and the monuments of the Certosa of Bologna Monumental Cemetery, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A journey which, in our country’s history, dates back for its vast majority to the first half of the XX century, which was marked by two world wars and the presence of a dictatorship. A man of good character, a hard worker, politically conservative, and an artist of true talent.

Curated by the Amici della Certosa Association with the Civic Museum of the Risorgimento.
Meeting at the main entrance (churchyard), Via della Certosa 18.
Compulsory reservation to be made via e-mail at the following address: prenotazionicertosa@gmail.com (you must receive an e-mail to confirm the reservation).
Entrance: 8.00 € (it is preferable to pay cash).

Wednesday, May 31st, 7.30 PM | Guided tour
Do you know who died? A sunset visit to the Certosa 

Every death is a shocking event, but the death of public figures has an echo which is transmitted over time. During this guided tour with Michela Cavina, we will search for our city’s prominent personalities, who were regarded as actual local treasures and whose death was a real shock for several fellow citizens! We will find the famous poet, but also the composer of canzonettas, the hero of the Risorgimento and the woman of the show, mourned by all music lovers. There will also be remarkable women and heroes, as well as a well-known… dustman.

Curated by Mirarte.
Meeting at the entrance of the Church of San Girolamo della Certosa, Via della Certosa 18.
Compulsory reservation to be made at the following link: https://mirartecoop.it/eventi/.
Entrance: full 13.00 € / reduced 8.00 € (children from 6 to 12 years, persons with disabilities) (for every paid entrance, 2 EUR will be donated for improvement works to be carried out at the Certosa).

Wednesday, May 31st, 8.30 PM | Guided tour
The secret Certosa

A guided tour with Roberto Martorelli, to walk in the silence of the cemetery, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rooms hidden by the dark of night, poorly explored cloisters, wonderful artworks which are hardly visible by a distracted passer-by. The rooms of the cemetery and its monuments will tell stories of forbidden love, suspected deaths, irreprehensible lives. The first evening meeting of the summer 2023 at the Certosa.

Curated by the Amici della Certosa Association with the Civic Museum of the Risorgimento.
Meeting at the main entrance (churchyard), Via della Certosa 18.
Compulsory reservation to be made via e-mail at the following address: prenotazionicertosa@gmail.com (you must receive an e-mail to confirm the reservation).
Entrance: 10.00 € (it is preferable to pay cash)

Friday, June 2nd, 3.30 PM | Guided tour
Forms from the past – the discovery of the present

A walk with Roberto Martorelli to discover the roots of our Bolognese, Italian and European community. Internationally-renowned monuments, characters who made history, visits of famous foreigners to the cemetery. A place of peace and happiness where, in the past, citizen and tourists found food for thought and meditation.

The cemetery is part of the ASCE - Association of European Significant Cemeteries, the largest and most influential no-profit organization which is in charge of preserving and promoting the artistic and historic value of the places of the collective memory.

Curated by the Civic Museum of the Risorgimento.
Meeting at the main entrance (churchyard), Via della Certosa 18.
Entrance: free

Saturday, June 3rd, 03.30 PM | Laboratory
Green walks | Small explorations at the Certosa

An exploratory journey targeted at children from 5 to 11 years old, to discover together the Certosa, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the walk, a few small observation exercises, focused on nature, art and poetry, will be proposed. With the help of a special map, we will cross this space and we will try to grasp the small magics of this place; at the end of the activity, the children will work on a personalized postcard, which portrays a glimpse of the city.

Curated by the Civic Museum of the Risorgimento in the context of “Museums and culture of accessibility”, a project by the Bologna Civic Museums Sector.
Meeting at 9.45 AM at the historic-artistic Info Point (main entrance: churchyard), Via della Certosa 18.
Entrance: free

Sunday, June 4th, 4 PM | Laboratory
The officinal Certosa – secrets of nature in the shade of cypress trees

On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the birth of Ulisse Aldrovandi, also the Amici della Certosa Association commemorates the father of natural science. A walk with Manuela Capece, among medical traditions, cosmetic remedies, historical anecdotes, officinal curiosities and more.

Curated by the Amici della Certosa Association, in partnership with the Civic Museum of the Risorgimento.
Meeting at the main entrance (churchyard), Via della Certosa 18.
Compulsory reservation to be made via e-mail at the following address: prenotazionicertosa@gmail.com.
Entrance: donation (free for the members of the Amici della Certosa Association)

Additional information: www.museibologna.it/risorgimento

WDEC 2017 - Monumental Cemetery Certosa of Bologna

The 2017 summer calendar in the Certosa, Bologna Monumental Cemetery, is now here with a new series of night walks and events.

The collaboration of various entities of Bologna allowed putting together a very rich programme featuring 50 events: guided tours, theatre events, itinerant shows,etc.

Thus art, history, anecdotes and reflections will bring the spotlight back onto the Certosa from 28th May to 30 September 2017.