Museo del silenzio

About the museum

The Museo del Silenzio (Museum of Silence) is located in the monastery of the Poor Clare hermits in Fara in Sabina, on Mount Buzio, and opened in 2004 on the initiative of Mother Chiara Farfalla, then abbess. The room, about 60 square metres, was part of the ancient church of Santa Maria in Castello, later incorporated into a 17th-century building; of the old church only a 15th-century fresco of the Madonna of Mercy remains visible.

Visitors enter a rectangular room without windows, plunged into darkness: 21 display cases light up in groups in a set sequence and show simple but symbolic objects, such as a rosary, a scale for medicinal herbs and sewing scissors. The cases are organised around seven themes: prayer, silence, discipline, sewing, pharmacy, kitchen and work. Projections on the vaults create images of grilles that surround the space and recall enclosure.

The visit can be combined with a tour of the monastery, during which the nuns accompany visitors through the inner spaces and recount their own experience.

Highlights

• Dark room with 21 display cases lighting up in sequence
• Seven themes: prayer, silence, discipline, sewing, pharmacy, kitchen, work
• Projections of grilles on the vaults
• 15th-century fresco of the Madonna of Mercy
• Guided visit by the nuns

Permanent exhibition

• Sala delle teche – Twenty-one display cases lit in sequence on prayer, silence, discipline, sewing, pharmacy, kitchen and work.

Founded

2004

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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