Museo Civico di Altomonte

About the museum

The Museo Civico di Altomonte opened in 1980, in conjunction with the celebrations for the seventh centenary of the birth of Simone Martini, whose panel with Saint Ladislaus of Hungary it preserves. It is housed in rooms converted from the former cells of the Dominican convent, next to the church of Santa Maria della Consolazione.

The church was built around 1336 at the wish of Filippo Sangineto, first count of Altomonte, on the site of an older building; the convent was erected in the 15th century on the initiative of Covella Ruffo Sanseverino. For centuries it was a centre of theological and scientific study and hosted, among others, Tommaso Campanella. After the suppressions of the 19th century the complex fell into decline. It was later restored by the municipality, which runs it and has also housed the Biblioteca Civica and the Biblioteca Storica there.

The works on display come from the churches of Santa Maria della Consolazione, San Francesco di Paola and San Giacomo Apostolo and are owned by the Fondo Edifici di Culto. The route is organised in several sections: medieval art, the Dominican picture gallery, sculptures, alabasters, vestments and codices, silverware and reliquaries, and lapidary. It documents the patronage of the Sangineto and Ruffo Sanseverino feudal lords and the history of the Dominican order.

Highlights

• Saint Ladislaus of Hungary by Simone Martini
• Saints on two panels by Bernardo Daddi
• Alabaster reliefs with scenes from the Life of the Virgin and the Passion
• Wooden sculptures, silverware and reliquaries
• Former 15th-century Dominican convent

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione permanente – Rooms devoted to medieval art, the Dominican picture gallery, wooden sculptures, alabasters, vestments and codices, silverware and reliquaries, and lapidary.

Founded

1980

Operated by

Comune di Altomonte

Visitors per year

approx. 5,248

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum has a lift, visitor toilets and routes with ramps and other facilities; the upper floor can also be reached by an external staircase.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Enter Altomonte from the east on Via Scarammuzza, then turn right onto Via Galterio as far as Piazza Castello; from there continue on foot to Piazza Campanella. The museum is reached by entering the cloister and following the portico on the right-hand side.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The conference and exhibition halls attached to the museum (Salone Razetti and Salone Campanella) can be booked through the Culture and Tourism Office of the municipality.

Plan your visit