Civic Museum of Castel Bolognese

The civic museum is divided into three distinct sections: artistic, historical and archaeological.
The Castel Bolognese Civic Museum aims to play an active role in the life of its host area by preserving the memory of its community, the history of the town and the works of artists. Castel Bolognese’s museum institution is not a place of preservation for its own sake, but also an instrument of cultural transmission and upgrading. The museum heritage is made available to the entire community, including for teaching and long life learning.

The art section mainly displays works by local artists who have passed away, the documentation of which is one of the museum’s goals. The main nuclei in quality and quantity are represented by the works of Giovanni Piancastelli and Giuseppe Guidi: the former with numerous pen drawings and oil paintings, the latter with highly original etchings, drawings and enamels on copper. In addition to medals and plaques by Giovanni Bernardi, a sculptor and engraver active in the 16th century, there are some rare works by painter and patriot Sebastiano Fanelli.
The work of sculptor Angelo Biancini is documented by a large ceramic Annunciation, several small bronzes, and a gilded plaster cast of a mother figure. Other artists featured are Giovanni Antonio Antolini, Cassiano Balducci, Mario Morelli and Fausto Ferlini. Also of interest is the collection of Castellan luthier Nicola Utili.

A wide variety of testimonies are preserved in the historical section.
These include: a collection of bells, with the 19th century railway station bell decorated with a rare bas-relief of a steam locomotive, some interesting ceramic devotional plaques, old municipal stamps.
Garibaldi memorabilia include a saber, a hat, and a photo of Garibaldi.
There are also small bronzes, stone fragments, domestic pottery, and a small collection of pontifical and Italian coins.
The archaeological section collects materials and artifacts from the Castel Bolognese area from prehistoric to post-medieval times. Of particular interest is the Tomb of the Warrior from Ponte del Castello: this is a 6th-century B.C.E. Umbrian burial unearthed in 2011 at Ponte del Castello with a rich trousseau consisting of ceramic vessels, weapons and ornaments.

There are also works that are the result of recent donations, including: a high relief with plastic elements, in glazed stoneware in white, blue and red polychrome (dimensions 65×190 cm), made by Faenza sculptor Carlo Zauli on a commission from Professor Menotti Galli in 1966; the “Martelli” collection of medals; “The Beggar,” a ceramic work made by Castellian Sergio Gioghi in 1992 (75×75 cm).