The building, on Corso della Giovecca, dates back to the early 20th century and was formerly the headquarters of the Cassa di Risparmio di Ferrara.
Today, it has been returned to the city following a major restoration and refurbishment project; it houses spaces for the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, as well as preserving the documentary heritage of the Institute’s Historical Archive. This new cultural centre joins the historic centres in Modena and L’Aquila.
A project in which architecture, art and archives bring the city’s cultural history to life.
From 6 October 2026, Palazzo Barbantini-Koch will once again open its doors to the city as the Ferrara Cultural Centre of La Galleria BPER. The historic building on Corso della Giovecca, originally built in the early 20th century as the headquarters of the Cassa di Risparmio di Ferrara, now takes on a new public and cultural role, housing the permanent collection, spaces dedicated to temporary exhibitions and the documentary heritage of the institution’s Historical Archive.
Barbantini-Koch Palace
VANITAS. Flowers and symbols, from Hayez to Casorati
The temporary exhibition, scheduled to run from 8 October 2026 to 31 January 2027, is curated by Fernando Mazzocca and Elena Lissoni, in collaboration with 24 ORE Cultura. Through more than 40 works, including paintings and sculptures, the exhibition explores the presence of flowers in Italian art between the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, from Romanticism to Naturalism, from Divisionism to Symbolism, drawing parallels between the visual arts and poetry.
A treasure trove of history. Art in Ferrara: between past and present
The main floor houses the permanent collection, curated by Lucia Peruzzi and Luciano Rivi. It features 135 works, including paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints, spread across 18 rooms and covering approximately 760 square metres. The exhibition itinerary brings together the core historical collections of the former Cassa di Risparmio di Ferrara with works from other collections within the BPER Corporate Collection, tracing the history of art from the Renaissance to the 20th century.
A multimedia narrative project
In the historic Council Chamber, the archival heritage is integrated into the visitor experience through a narrative and multimedia project that weaves together original sources and digital tools. The storytelling, developed by Promemoria Group, is based on the concept ‘BPER’s Testimonial Buildings’: the building is interpreted as a palimpsest capable of preserving the traces of the events, transformations and contradictions it has witnessed. Three installations, grouped under the title FRAGMENTS, guide visitors through the entrance, the temporary exhibitions and the permanent exhibition, linking the heritage to the architecture and history of the building through images, details, documents and interactive displays.
Cultural initiatives and events
Premio Strega
BPER supports the Strega Prize, one of the most important literary events in Italy promoted by the Maria and Goffredo Bellonci Foundation and Liquore Strega, with the contribution of the Rome Chamber of Commerce.
Arte Fiera 2025
BPER is Main Partner of Arte Fiera Bologna, one of the most eagerly awaited national trade fair events.
Also this year the event is enriched by the BPER Prize, dedicated to the promotion of women's issues.
Also this year the event is enriched by the BPER Prize, dedicated to the promotion of women's issues.
Venice Biennale 2024
On the occasion of the 60th Venice Biennale, BPER was sponsor of the Venice Pavilion presenting a high-profile artistic exhibition project dedicated to the social and emotional dimension of the search for identity.
Accessibility
Accessibility, understood as universal access to cultural heritage for a diverse range of visitors, is one of the key design elements of the new Cultural Centre. The plan is to gradually introduce physical, digital and cultural mediation tools. Consultancy on accessibility has been entrusted to the ‘G. Garibaldi’ Regional Institute for the Blind; the project also includes audio and video guides, physical signage and digital kiosks, whilst the educational programme places specific emphasis on students with special educational needs and disabilities.
The teaching proposal
The educational programme at Palazzo Barbantini-Koch, designed by Civita Mostre e Musei, is open to pupils of all ages and school levels, guiding them on a journey of discovery through the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.
The programme includes interactive tours, themed itineraries and workshops designed to stimulate observation, creativity, critical thinking and an understanding of cultural heritage.
Nursery school
Through the ‘Little Explorers of the Collection’ and ‘Magical Windows on Art’ programmes, children explore the collection and become little artists themselves, stimulating their senses to reinterpret the impressions gained from their visit.
Primary school
Thanks to the projects 'Inside the Collection: A Journey Through Art and Wonder' and 'Mission Olympus: Investigations Among the Gods!', children embark on a journey through the collection, observing and asking questions.
Lower secondary school
The ‘Santi in Codice’ and ‘Tra le opere’ learning pathways, with their myriad stories, engage pupils with the themes of sacred iconography and the stories of the figures and landscapes depicted in the works within the collection.
Upper secondary school
Through 'Inside the Artist’s Workshop' and 'Visual Codes: From the 17th Century to Social Media', visitors can experience how traditional artists’ workshops operated and gain a deeper understanding of visual codes, drawing parallels between the symbolic codes of the past and those of the present day.
Goal Zero Area at MUSE di Trento
A project in partnership with MUSE - Museum of Science in Trento, with the aim of letting visitors know how much shared value can be created by using their savings, selecting different investment strategies related to sustainable finance, and the initiatives proposed by the BPER Group that generate a positive and long-term impact on the environment and society.
Projects for school
Born to read
Together with Associazione Culturale Pediatri, Associazione Italiana Biblioteche and Centro per la Salute del Bambino Onlus, we promote the value of reading: more than 20,000 newborns will receive a book, and new parents an informational leaflet on the importance of reading from an early age.
Forum 4 School:
the project, created in collaboration with the Historical Institute of Modena, offers schools an approach to contemporary history through testimonies of scholars and direct and indirect protagonists of the most recent historical events.
#LaBancaCheSaLeggere
activities related to the realization of cultural, artistic and musical events to promote the dissemination of culture.
Support for Prizes of national importance
the Strega Prize, the Estense Prize, the Laudomia Bonanni Poetry Prize, the Flaiano Prize, the National Prize and the Giancarlo Dosi Scientific Disclosure Junior Video Contest.
Events
Ravenna Festival, Modena Philosophy Festival, IMAGinACTION, Giffoni Film Festival, Ischia Film Festival, Time in Jazz, Mantua Literature Festival
"Forum Events" review
at the BPER Forum in Modena, meetings with contemporary authors.
Events promoted by ABI:
"Invitation to the Palace," which opens the most beautiful buildings of Italian banks to the public, and the "Festival of Creative Culture" dedicated to children and teenagers.
Sognalib(e)ro:
literary prize reserved for inmates of Italian prisons, to promote reading and writing in penitentiary institutions.