Mortadella & Co.

Bologna's Food Culture through the collections of the Civic Museums

By Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo Civico Archeologico - Etruscan grave goods (Late 6th - early 5th century to. C.)Musei Civici di Bologna

Love for food is deeply rooted in Bologna's history. What began as sustenance in prehistoric times evolved over centuries into a vital social experience.

Museo Civico Archeologico - Attic red-figure rython configured as a ram, Mid 5th century B.C., From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo Civico Medievale - Salt shaker, Afro-Portuguese workshop, Late 15th - early 16th century, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo Civico Medievale - Cospi knife box, Asian workshop, Second half of the 17th century, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

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Museo Davia Bargellini - Amateur dish (Late 15th - early 16th century) by Bolognese workshopMusei Civici di Bologna

From ancient times to the present day, we'll explore over 2000 years of delicious food and culinary traditions. Get ready for a fascinating journey through time and taste.

Collezioni Comunali d'Arte - Newborn service (1768-1775) by Finck workshopMusei Civici di Bologna

Imagine a table set with the finest tableware. Ancient jugs, flasks, and Murano glass goblets sit alongside ivory salt cellars and mother-of-pearl knife rests. Delicately decorated porcelain cups and plates complete the scene.

Museo Civico Medievale - Acquamanile, German workshop, 1230-1240, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo Civico Medievale - Pair of flasks with the coats of arms of the Bentivoglio and Sforza families, Venetian workshop, Second half of the 15th century, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo Civico Medievale - Chalice, Venetian workshop, Second half of the 17th century, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

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Museo del Risorgimento - Il bolognese è gaio onor (1907) by Augusto Majani "Nasica"Musei Civici di Bologna

Wine, beer, and a table overflowing with tortellini, cured meats, and mortadella create the perfect scene. Cinnamon, pepper, sugar, and spices from distant lands add flavour to the dishes, while a special "gourmand's dressing" elevates the simple salad.

Museo della Musica - Letter from Count Agostino Litta to Father Martini and draft of response, Agostino Litta Padre Giambattista Martini (Bologna 1706 - 1784), 1757-07-20, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo Civico Archeologico - Tombstones of the pig farmer and the mortar, End of the 1st century B.C. - early 1st century A.D., From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

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Certosa - Funerary monument to Paolo Atti, Pietro Veronesi, 1910, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Certosa - Funerary monument to Camillo Ronzani, Pasquale Rizzoli, 1904, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

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Museo del Patrimonio Industriale - Advertisement for Buton liqueurs (1950/1960) by Fototecnica bologneseMusei Civici di Bologna

What better way to end a meal than with a refreshing ice-cream or a bite of rich chocolate paired with a fine liqueur?

Museo del Patrimonio Industriale - Advertisement for Majani chocolate in a cup, 1911/1915, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo del Patrimonio Industriale - Carpigiani: ice cream machines in Bologna, 1950/1960, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

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Museo della Musica - Five-string viola (1600/1700) by Girolamo Brensio (Bologna, 1540 - post 1603)Musei Civici di Bologna

What's a convivial moment without music and art to complement it? Imagine the sounds of music in the air, and stunning culinary paintings to inspire the appetite.

Museo della Musica - The Barber of Seville (autograph score), Gioachino Rossini (Pesaro 1792, Passy, 1868), 1816, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Collezioni Comunali d'Arte - Autumn, Pier Francesco Cittadini, 1650-1655, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

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Museo del Risorgimento - Poster of the "Pranso patriotico" with the expense report, 1798, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo del Patrimonio Industriale - Advertisement for the purgative of the Gazzoni company, Fototecnica bolognese, 1950/1960, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

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Museo Davia Bargellini - Kitchen interior (1640-1660) by Joseph Heintz Il GiovaneMusei Civici di Bologna

Can't quite picture the scene? No problem! The Civic Museums of Bologna offer a miniature 18th-century home, letting you virtually step into a kitchen and a dining room of that time. Buon appetito!

Credits: Story

Musei Civici di Bologna (Civic Museums of Bologna): Museo Civico Archeologico, Museo Civico Medievale, Collezioni Comunali d'Arte, Museo Civico d'Arte Industriale e Galleria Davia Bargellini, Museo del Tessuto e della Tappezzeria "Vittorio Zironi", MAMbo - Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna and exhibition venue of Villa delle Rose, Museo Morandi and Casa Morandi, Museo per la Memoria di Ustica, Museo internazionale e biblioteca della musica di Bologna, Museo civico del Risorgimento (and cultural enhancement of Certosa Monumental Cemetery), Museo del Patrimonio Industriale.

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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