Museo del Monastero di San Giacomo Maggiore

Small museum of the Benedictine monastery of San Giacomo Maggiore in Pontida, with sacred paintings and finds from the ancient abbey; visits by reservation.

Opening hours unknownFree admission

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About the museum

The monastery of San Giacomo Maggiore in Pontida was founded in 1076 as a Cluniac priory. Suppressed by Napoleon in 1798, it was reopened in 1910 by the Congregazione Cassinese and in 1946 regained the title of abbey; it is the only men’s monastery in the diocese of Bergamo.

In 1976 a small museum was set up in the complex, with some finds from the early abbey founded by Alberto da Prezzate and the remains of the 14th-century abbey enlarged by Cardinal Guglielmo Longhi. On display are a 15th-century polyptych by an anonymous artist with the Madonna and Child, a triptych with the Madonna of Mercy and the saints John the Baptist and Jerome, the “Madonna in gloria” by Luca Martinelli, a “San Benedetto” by Carlo Ceresa and a 16th-century altarpiece with the Pentecost. Some prints and sacred art memorabilia complete the display.

Highlights

Finds from the early abbey and the 14th-century church
15th-century polyptych with the Madonna and Child
Triptych of the Madonna of Mercy with Saints John the Baptist and Jerome
“Madonna in gloria” by Luca Martinelli and “San Benedetto” by Carlo Ceresa
16th-century altarpiece with the Pentecost

Permanent exhibition

Raccolta d’arte sacra del monastero – Paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries, prints and sacred art memorabilia, with finds from the early abbey and the 14th-century one.

Founded: 1976
Operated by: Monastero benedettino di San Giacomo Maggiore
Visitors per year: approx. 1,000