Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica
Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica
Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica
4.5
10:00 AM - 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 1:30 PM
3:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 1:30 PM
3:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 1:30 PM
3:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 1:30 PM
3:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
About
The Music Museum of Bologna is home to the nine rooms of the exhibition, which illustrate about six centuries of the history of European music. There are over one hundred paintings of famous people from the music world, which are a part of the picture gallery started by Padre Giovanni Battista Martini, more than eighty antique musical instruments, and a large selection of valuable historical documents, such as treatises, volumes, opera libretti, letters, manuscripts, original musical scores, etc.
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Neighborhood: Santo Stefano
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
247 reviews
Excellent
157
Very good
67
Average
19
Poor
4
Terrible
0
PavlaPavla
Chrudim, Czech Republic6,172 contributions
Jul 2022
I discovered this museum by chance while walking through the streets of Bologna. The size of this museum is not big, but the exhibits displayed in it are fantastic. In addition to a number of old, beautiful musical instruments, there are also manuscripts of, for example, Giuseppe Verdi, Ottorino Respighi and other greats of classical music.
The entrance fee was €5.
The entrance fee was €5.
Written August 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sue_wombat
Hong Kong, China72 contributions
Oct 2019
I loved this museum. It was fantastic! And I spent over two hours. I am not a classical music lover, or should I say wasn't. I now want to explore this whole genre and the history so much more thoroughly. But I think you must, must, must take the audio. The labelling is all in Italian, although there are some room plans that give explanations in English, but the audio guide was well worth the euro4. Not only did the audio guide give explanations, it also provided examples of the music. I highly recommend a visit to this museum, but you do need time, not only to listen but also to absorb, there is a lot of information.
Written October 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
guitarman666
Richmond-upon-Thames, UK190 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
The museum is probably a spin off of the music library, one of the best equipped in Europe.
It is situated in one of the old Palazzos which abound in Bologna where every single room has the most remarkable decorations and frescoes. The building itself merits the visit.
However, if you are a musician or a music lover, you could spend hours here. If your spouse or partner is not musically inclined I suggest you come alone. Otherwise you will leave unsatisfied or the other one will get bored.
Starting from the earliest written music for one voice, you see how polyphony develops and grows and gradually the notation becomes more complex until it reaches our current style. You can also see the development of early instruments (harps, lutes, theorbos, viols, trombe di mare, etc., including design notes, tuning and playing techniques).
As you move through the rooms (and through time) keep your eyes open for original manuscripts from Monteverdi (see how he wrote out the madrigrals), Mozart, or Rameau (heavy theoretical writings, surprisingly, in Italian) and much more.
A special room is dedicated to Opera giving you an understanding of how the early ones came to be performed. In this room you will find the original of Antonio Vivaldi's most famous portrait, the one with the flowing hair and the open white shirt on a red background.
As you move forward in time, inevitably you come to a room dominated by Wagner and Verdi in which I was fascinated by an early Bb Bass Clarinet by Adolphe Sax.
The visit ends with the end of the XIX century which is appropriate in this context, even if this did not stop them last year organising a special exhibition to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Fender Stratocaster.
It is situated in one of the old Palazzos which abound in Bologna where every single room has the most remarkable decorations and frescoes. The building itself merits the visit.
However, if you are a musician or a music lover, you could spend hours here. If your spouse or partner is not musically inclined I suggest you come alone. Otherwise you will leave unsatisfied or the other one will get bored.
Starting from the earliest written music for one voice, you see how polyphony develops and grows and gradually the notation becomes more complex until it reaches our current style. You can also see the development of early instruments (harps, lutes, theorbos, viols, trombe di mare, etc., including design notes, tuning and playing techniques).
As you move through the rooms (and through time) keep your eyes open for original manuscripts from Monteverdi (see how he wrote out the madrigrals), Mozart, or Rameau (heavy theoretical writings, surprisingly, in Italian) and much more.
A special room is dedicated to Opera giving you an understanding of how the early ones came to be performed. In this room you will find the original of Antonio Vivaldi's most famous portrait, the one with the flowing hair and the open white shirt on a red background.
As you move forward in time, inevitably you come to a room dominated by Wagner and Verdi in which I was fascinated by an early Bb Bass Clarinet by Adolphe Sax.
The visit ends with the end of the XIX century which is appropriate in this context, even if this did not stop them last year organising a special exhibition to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Fender Stratocaster.
Written February 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
nwaf247
London, UK101 contributions
Oct 2019
If music is your thing this is a must see ... 10 rooms of fascinating historic items all fro a single collection. Allow 60 - 90 minutes.
Written October 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MariaCelina f
10 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
For only 5 Euro entry and 4 Euro Audioguide (well worth, and certainly when you are a musician/music lover), you can explore this museum. 1st of all, the setting is just stupendous, and already a treat in its own. Second, the collection of items is awesome and interesting, and very well displayed - with "secret drawers" here and there for those who want to see more. You can easily spend many hours here, listening to the explanations and the music on the audio guide, while looking around and reading. Moreover, the staff is helpful and friendly. Languages provided are Italian and English - both on the audio guide and throughout the museum. I loved all of it and I think you will too.
Written December 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Provarma
Hereford, UK48 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
We spent a good two hours touring this lovely museum. The exhibits are very well displayed and the English audio guide was excellent, especially the short music clips to expand on the information provided. Very well worth our time.
Written April 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
belette
Bordeaux, France70 contributions
Sep 2017 • Friends
A beautiful and interesting museum in an amazing building. This looks like a museum that has been developed with love and enthusiasm. The exhibits are unusual and fascinating, beautifully presented in a fantastic building. Also the loos are really nice ! Always a plus. We visited here free as part of the three day card from the tourist office.
Written September 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CardiffMaddie
Cardiff, UK1,478 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
This is near the Towers in Bologna. It is housed in an historic, grand building. They offer an audio guide for 4 euros in addition to the entry cost of 5 euros. Worth it though to get a real insight into the exhibition. The exhibits are housed in grand rooms painted with some magnificent frescos. Well worth a visit.
Written April 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Clive D
London, UK38 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Visited this museum of music. Cost of entry was €5. Recommend hiring headset for €3 which gives you information on the exhibits and also a taste of the baroque music. Wonderful history and portraits of composers. Well worth spending an hour or two there.
Written October 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
xiiatiing
Guangzhou, China13 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
The museum is right next to Bologna Philharmonic Academy, where Mozart studied composition and took flight. They have some really interesting collections of correspondences and scores. My favorite part is seeing different instruments from different periods. It is a great place to visit for music lovers who have extra time in the city! I believe ticket is between 10-15 euros.
Written November 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica (Bologna) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica
- Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica is open:
- Tue - Fri 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM
- Tue - Fri 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM
- Sat - Sun 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
- Hotels near Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica:
- (0.02 mi) UR-NEST Strada Maggiore 31
- (0.03 mi) La Bandita
- (0.04 mi) Casa Visconti
- (0.18 mi) 051 Room & Breakfast
- (0.09 mi) Borgonuovo Apartments
- Restaurants near Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica:
- (0.03 mi) Èltsi
- (0.09 mi) I Panini Di Miro
- (0.09 mi) La Tua Piadina
- (0.07 mi) Osteria Le Sette Chiese
- (0.08 mi) Seta Sushi Lab