Just outside the historic walls of Bologna, Italy, lies the imposing Certosa di Bologna. Founded in 1334 as a Carthusian monastery, the Certosa underwent a significant transformation when it was repurposed in 1801 as the city’s monumental cemetery – following its suppression by Napoleon in 1797. In an unexpected turn of events, this change helped preserve the site and turned it into a much admired cultural landmark.
The Certosa’s church, dedicated to St. Jerome, is the centerpiece of its spiritual heritage. On the high altar is The Crucifixion by Baroque master Bartolomeo Cesi. Other works by Cesi, The Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and The Deposition, adorn the side altars.
Art lovers will appreciate the collection of 17th-century paintings displayed in the Certosa. Giovanni Andrea Sirani, Elisabetta Sirani, Francesco Gessi and Lorenzo Pasinelli (all masters of the School of Bologna) contributed significant works depicting moments from the life of Christ.
The cemetery itself, built on the site of the former Certosa di San Girolamo di Casara, is famous for its striking neoclassical tombs. Local aristocrats and nobles, passionate about monumental family tombs, transformed the Certosa into an open-air museum. The third cloister, or Chapel Cloister, is also notable for its neoclassical design. The various tomb decorations, including tempera paintings and stucco work, offer a visual feast for visitors.
What distinguishes the Certosa di Bologna from other European cemeteries is its innovative use of space, seamlessly integrating the necropolis into the urban landscape. The porticoed eastern entrance opens directly to the path leading to the Sanctuary of San Luca, creating a continuous link between the city of the living and the realm of the dead.
In addition to its role as a cemetery, the expansion of the Certosa at the end of the 19th century led to the discovery of an Etruscan necropolis. Artifacts from these excavations are now on display at the Civic Archaeological Museum of Bologna, further enriching the site’s historical narrative.
The Certosa di Bologna stands as a monumental testimony to the city’s historical and religious heritage. It offers visitors a contemplative experience at the intersection of history, art and faith.
