Diocesan Museum, Reggio Emilia
Diocesan Museum (Museo Diocesano) in Reggio Emilia is a collection of works of art, church utensils, beginning with the era of early Christianity. All exhibits were taken mainly from the churches of the province to preserve, strengthen and popularize knowledge about the historical and artistic heritage. Through the objects of art, the history of Christianity is reproduced here.
History of the museum
The idea of preserving works of art of special artistic interest and value appeared in the first half of the 20th century. And they began to collect, especially those that were at risk of being scattered or lost in the parishes of the diocese. The first exhibition of collected material was opened in some rooms of the Bishop's Palace in 1994. In 2000, the earthquake damaged the wing of the palazzo, where the museum collection was located. After a long restoration, the museum opened its doors for visitors again on December 16, 2006.
Exposition of the museum
Collections are placed on two floors of the Episcopal Palace. A large proportion of the exhibited works have items from the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the main church of the diocese in Reggio Emilia. Also in the museum there are many works donated by famous Italian artists. The museum route is built in such a way as to completely immerse the visitor in the history of the development of Christianity in the province. It includes items from the 1st and the 16th century, located in 5 exhibition halls in accordance with different types of materials. Among the exhibits there are paintings, sculptures, stained glass, church jewelry, fabrics and tapestries, ceramics and documents. Some particularly interesting and valuable samples can be identified among all the diversity:
- Frescos. Among them – Gesù Cristo entro mandorla e angeli of the 13th century, housed on the façade of the city's cathedral, the Crocifissione of 1340.
- Abbey mitre of the 14th century.
- Purple Mitre of St. Carlo Borromeo, 16th century.
- Episcopal seals of the 13th and 16th centuries.
- Parchment of the 12th century with the signature of Countess Matilda of Canossa.
- Wooden crucifix of 1460.
- The painting Michael Archangel by Orazio Talami, as well as many paintings on wood and paintings, made in different styles and techniques.
The exhibition ends on the top floor with a collection of 17-18th-century paintings by such artists as Giacomo Palma the Younger, Andrea Celesti, Cosimo da Castelfranco, Aureliano Milani.
How to get there
The museum is located in the heart of the city of Reggio Emilia, near the main city cathedral, on Via Vittorio Veneto, 6. Not far from it is the Civic Museums, housing the network of civilian museums of the city. The nearest stop, Piazza Del Monte, is 2 minutes away. It can be reached by buses of route E.
Opening hours: depends on the time of the year. From September to May: Tuesday and Friday from 9:30 to 12:30, Saturday to Sunday from 9:30 to 12:30 and from 15:30 to 18:30. From June to July: Wednesday and Friday from 21:00 to 22:30, Saturday to Sunday from 9:30 to 12:30 and from 16:00 to 19:00. In August the museum is closed. Phone number: (+39) 0522 1757930.
Free admission.
