Museo civico di Cerchio
Civic museum of sacred art and peasant civilisation in the former convent of the Barefoot Augustinians, beside the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is housed in the former convent of the Barefoot Augustinians (Agostiniani Scalzi), beside the mother church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. It was inaugurated on 21 October 1986 thanks to the research of the historian Fiorenzo Amiconi, who was also its promoter. Its origins go back to the 1915 earthquake: during the restoration of the church, many sacred works of art from other places of worship in the village were gathered in the adjoining rooms, which were later set up as a museum of sacred art.
The first section, opened in 1986, brings together works from the 15th to the 20th century, including a processional cross of the Sulmona school, a Nativity of 1571, a Holy Family of the 18th century, sacred silverware and Marian devotional canvases. In 1990 the ethnographic collection of peasant life and crafts was added, with some 1,500 items donated or lent by local families, housed in four rooms on the ground floor. In the cloister, large agricultural implements and tools of traditional crafts are displayed.
The museum was later extended with a section dedicated to the Italian Republic. After the L'Aquila earthquake of 2009 it was closed for restoration works and reopened on 1 September 2018. Today the route comprises six rooms and includes objects dating from the 14th to the 19th century. The site also offers a virtual tour and audiovisuals.
Highlights
- Sacred art from the 15th to the 20th century, including a Nativity of 1571
- Processional cross of the Sulmona school
- Ethnographic collection of about 1,500 items on peasant life and crafts
- Polychrome wooden sacred statues
- Cloister with agricultural tools and traditional craft implements
- Virtual tour and audiovisuals online
Permanent exhibitions
- Sezione di arte sacra – Polychrome paintings and wooden sculptures from the 15th to the 20th century, sacred silverware and devotional canvases from the churches of the village.
- Sezione etnografica della civiltà contadina – About 1,500 objects of daily life and traditional crafts, displayed in four rooms on the ground floor and in the cloister.
- Founded
- 1986
- Operated by
- Comune di Cerchio
- Visitors per year
- approx. 500
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2 |
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The website lists “Individuale” at €2; for groups (maximum 10 adults) €15, and for young people aged 19 to 24, €12. Tickets and bookings are available online on the museum's website.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Good to know | The museum's website offers a virtual tour, a video guide and audiovisuals on the sacred art and ethnographic sections; the visit can be booked online. |
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