Museo della Cattedrale

Frommer's Review

The highly successful architectural marriage of the town's 12th- to 15th-century buildings with the cast-iron-and-glass modernity of this new museum is almost more interesting than the collections themselves (though if the long-term plans to move the tomb of Ilaria del Carretto here from inside the Duomo are carried out, it'll be well worth the admission). The first floor contains a bit of Matteo Civitali's late-15th-century choir screen, removed from the Duomo in 1987 despite vehement local protest. The second floor starts with 16th-century paintings and a pair of too-realistic wooden carvings of St. John the Baptist's head on a plate. Past an early-17th-century Francesco Vanni Crucifixion and a stretch of priestly vestments is a room with sculptures from the Duomo's facade, such as Jacopo della Quercia's huge early-15th-century St. John the Evangelist. At the end of the route are the jewelry and baubles the Volto Santo wears on the days he's specially venerated.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Back to Top