Museo del Tesoro di San Lorenzo

About the museum

The museum is housed in the medieval underground spaces beneath the courtyard of the archbishop's palace, in the crypt area of the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. In 1956 the architect Franco Albini completely rethought it: previously the works had been kept in three cupboards in a sacristy, while the new space, with an entrance vestibule, a central connecting room and four circular rooms of different diameters, deliberately recalls Mycenaean tombs. The project was entirely new for architecture and for museum display, and it remains a celebrated example of modern museum design.

The collection consists of goldwork and silverware from the medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods. The objects fall into three groups: relics and reliquaries, works linked to the cult of Saint John the Baptist, proclaimed patron saint of Genoa in 1327, and liturgical furnishings made for or donated to the cathedral over the centuries for the main celebrations.

The best-known piece is the Sacro Catino, a Middle Eastern glass bowl once believed to be emerald and identified by tradition with the Holy Grail. Other major works include the Croce degli Zaccaria, with a relic of the True Cross, the processional chest for the ashes of Saint John the Baptist, the Piatto di San Giovanni Battista, the processional ark and altar frontal of Corpus Domini, and the statue of the Immaculate Conception, all in silver.

Highlights

• Sacro Catino, traditionally identified with the Holy Grail
• Croce degli Zaccaria with a relic of the True Cross
• Processional chest for the ashes of Saint John the Baptist
• Processional ark and altar frontal of Corpus Domini
• Underground display by Franco Albini of 1956
• Statue of the Immaculate Conception and reliquary of Saint Anne's arm

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione permanente del Tesoro – Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque goldwork and silverware: reliquaries, objects linked to the cult of Saint John the Baptist and liturgical furnishings of the cathedral.

Founded

1956

Admission & discounts

Free admission for teachers holding the school card. If the visit cannot take place, a refund of the ticket can be requested within 15 days.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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 is partially accessible to visitors with mobility impairments because of some steps along the route; three of the exhibition rooms are not accessible.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located beneath the courtyard of the archbishop's palace, next to the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, in Piazza San Lorenzo.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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