Museums are always fun, but sometimes you need a great story behind the exhibits to take in all the beauty these old buildings hold. Many museums have changed their exhibits and added gestures, sounds, and smells to keep visitors engaged and like they're experiencing history.
One place that has been doing this more often is Bologna — Italy's most popular tourist destination. The city has been adding new displays to its oldest monuments and museums to make them even more relaxed than ever, and visitors love every minute of it.
So if you're interested in exploring Bologna as much as I was, here are a few things you can check out and help you get hooked on the place.
1) The Ducal Palace Museum
The Ducal Palace Museum is one of the most important museums in Italy — at least from a historical perspective. The Renaissance architect Giangiacomo Sign designed the building, and it's where Bologna's dukes would've lived when they were in power.
The palace is pretty opulent compared to some of the buildings you'll see throughout Italy, and it's home to around 2,500 rarely-seen works collected over hundreds of years. Although most of the palace was destroyed by fire in 1932, there's still a lot to see throughout the remains.
2) The Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum is also one of the most famous museum attractions in Italy, and it's also home to a wide variety of historical objects. This place has over 50,000 archaeological exhibits and over 6 million historical pieces sitting behind those walls — including some ancient Roman mosaics and coins.
The museum's exhibits regularly change, so it's worth checking in to see what they're offering next. If you want to see even more of Bologna's ancient history, then stop by the nearby Herculaneum Museum. It's an even better museum than the Archaeological Museum.
3) The National Museum of Cinema and the National Cinema Museum
Bologna is the birthplace of cinema, so it's worth stopping by at least one of these two museums. The first one is located inside a 19th-century convent and has regular screenings. In contrast, the other museum has historical exhibits set up in a former prison.
There are also some movie-related events held at both museums throughout the year, so you'll have no problem finding something to do if you visit them. If you want to stop by, then be sure to make reservations ahead of time because these places get pretty busy.
4) Uffizi Gallery
If you want to see some of Italy's most delicate art, you can't beat the Uffizi Gallery. This art museum has worked to become one of the most prominent museums in the world, and they certainly have a lot of great things to show visitors. There are so many artworks to see in the gallery. Book a Uffizi Gallery Tickets in advance if you have enough time to explore. It helps you to get skip-the-line access.
With over 16,000 works of art spread across six floors, the museum has plenty of amazing pieces throughout its exhibits — including paintings by Botticelli, Caravaggio, and Leonardo da Vinci.
5) Duomo Florence
If you can't decide between visiting Bologna or Florence, you should choose the latter option. The Duomo Cathedral in Florence has been around for around eight centuries, and it's one of Italy's most impressive religious buildings. Make sure to book an advance Duomo Florence Tour whenever you visit Duomo.
This cathedral houses some of the country's most important works — including Michelangelo's statue David and pieces from the Renaissance-era masterpieces.
Visiting museums in Italy is a great way to take in all the country's history and art. Historical museums are all over the place, but you'll probably want to stick with some of these places if you want to feel immersed in a museum.
Check out these places to get the best Italian experience possible and have a fantastic time doing it!