Museo del Presepe e Pinacoteca civica
Civic museum of Imperia-Porto Maurizio in the Palazzo del Collegio, with the 18th-century presepe (nativity scene) of 113 figurines from the school of Maragliano and the civic picture gallery.
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About the museum
The museum is housed in the 19th-century Palazzo del Collegio, in the heart of Porto Maurizio, opposite the Cathedral of San Maurizio. Its most precious core is the presepe by Anton Maria Maragliano (Genoa 1664–1739), the greatest sculptor of the Genoese presepe, whose work enjoyed great success throughout Liguria and Lower Piedmont. The 113 wooden figures, 81 human figures and 32 animals, were commissioned by the Berio family of Porto Maurizio and made between 1724 and 1741: a first group was carved by Maragliano himself, and the later parts by his school. The limbs are jointed, and many figures wear fabric costumes decorated with tulle, sequins, embroidery and silver thread.
The presepe was restored in 2008 and the museum spaces were redesigned. The figures are now displayed on several levels in the Sala degli stucchi, inside a large comet-shaped display case. In the entrance corridor two large 17th-century canvases by Francesco Bruno, the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, can be seen, and two videos recount the history and restoration of the presepe; educational and multimedia stations explore the techniques used.
The two side rooms house the civic picture gallery, which focuses on the Baroque painter Gregorio De Ferrari, a native of Porto Maurizio, and the Rebaudi Collection, which documents Ligurian painting from the early 18th to the mid-20th century, with artists such as Raffaele Giannetti, Ernesto Rayper, Alberto Issel, Oscar Saccorotti, Emanuele Rambaldi and Rita Saglietto.
Highlights
- Presepe of 113 figures by Anton Maria Maragliano and his school (1724–1741)
- Comet-shaped display case in the Sala degli stucchi
- Canvases by Francesco Bruno with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi
- Picture gallery with works by Gregorio De Ferrari
- Rebaudi Collection of Ligurian painting from the 18th to the 20th century
- Educational and multimedia stations
Permanent exhibitions
- Presepe di Maragliano – Presepe of 113 wooden figures from the 18th century, displayed in a large comet-shaped case in the Sala degli stucchi.
- Pinacoteca civica – Paintings of the Ligurian tradition, with Gregorio De Ferrari and the Rebaudi Collection from the 18th to the 20th century.
- Operated by
- Comune di Imperia
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
The museum is in Piazza Duomo, opposite the Cathedral of San Maurizio, in Porto Maurizio.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Good to know | The route includes educational and multimedia stations on the history of the presepe, artistic techniques and restoration. |
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