Established 2000 | Founded 2000 | |
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Location Palazzo Vescovile - piazza del Duomo 12 Similar Saint Maria of Servi, Arena Romana Estate / T, Musei civici agli Eremitani, Lodge and Odeo Cornaro, Museum of Precinema |
The Diocesan museum of Padua was founded in 2000 in the bishop's residence which was constructed in the 15th century, but which has a foundation dating from the beginning of the 14th century. The building, close to the cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo, can be found in the historic center of the city which is the capital of the comune of Padua.
Contents
Works
Works of the museum come from the cathedral, dedicated to Mary's Assumption, and from other diocesan churches, and date from the 9th to the 19th centuries. These works can be found on two separate floors and are ordered chronologicallyl and by type.
The Hall of St. Gregory Barbarigo
On the first floor, chiefly for use by scholars due to the presence of the chapter library and the diocesan archives, is a room named for St. Gregory Barbarigo, bishop of Padua (1664 - 1697), which contains several accounts of the diocese's library and of the cathedral's scriptorium. Of special interest are documents pertaining to the renaissance library of bishops Iaocopo Zeno and Pietro Barozzi:
The actual diocesan museum is found on the second floor of the building.
The salon of the bishops and chapel of St. Mary of the Angels
The most important part of the museum's itinerary is the monumental and luxurious salon of the bishops, in which are presented:
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries this room slowly deteriorated, and was returned to its original splendor with its latest restoration in 2006.
On the north-east side of the salon is the entrance to the chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, built in 1495 by architect Lorenzo da Bologna at the bidding of Pietro Barozzi, bishop of Padua from 1487-1507. The frescos by Prospero da Piazzola and Jacopo da Montagnana follow an iconographic program centered on the Apostles' Creed. On the main altar is found:
The Treasure of the cathedral
The oldest liturgical items are found in the Treasure of the cathedral and include:
The Belvedere rooms
These rooms exhibits works of art from the 14th to the 15th centuries, the most important of which are:
In addition there are works from the 17th to the 18th centuries:
The 19th century room
In this room, next to works of great historic-artistic value, are displayed a large number of ex votos, objects associated with popular devotion.
The room of liturgical items
This section contains a rich assortment or liturgical items, of particular interest are: