Museo del Tesoro della Collegiata di San Lorenzo
Museum of sacred art attached to the Collegiate Church of San Lorenzo in Chiavenna, with the Pace di Chiavenna and the Romanesque baptismal font of 1156.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo del Tesoro is attached to the Collegiate Church of San Lorenzo, a parish church (pieve) that probably dates back to the 5th century and is documented from the 10th. The idea of a museum was put forward by the Bishop of Como in 1927; about thirty years later, in 1957, the archpriest Don Pietro Bormetti opened it in a small room on the ground floor of the rectory, as the first museum of sacred art in the diocese. After a second attempted theft the museum closed in 1981, and in 1998 it reopened in three rooms with renewed security systems.
The rooms hold the most significant liturgical objects for art and history, from the Romanesque to the 19th century, largely from the collegiate church and the churches of the valley; many furnishings were donated by emigrants organised in associations. The most precious piece is the Pace di Chiavenna, a cover of an 11th-century gospel book made of 25 chased gold plates on a walnut board, with gems, pearls and enamels.
From the portico of the collegiate church one enters the Baptistery, where the baptismal font of 1156 stands, carved from a single block of soapstone (pietra ollare) with reliefs showing the rite of baptism.
Highlights
- Pace di Chiavenna, cover of an 11th-century gospel book in gold with gems and enamels
- Baptismal font of 1156 in soapstone in the Baptistery
- Madonna and Child by Ivo Strigel, a limewood statue of 1495
- 11th-century musical antiphonary and a 15th-century incunabulum
- Chasuble of 1586 found in the excavations at Piuro
- Processional crosses of the 12th century
Permanent exhibitions
- Museo del Tesoro – Liturgical objects from the Romanesque to the 19th century, wooden statues, vestments, choir books and paintings, with the Pace di Chiavenna as the most valuable piece.
- Battistero e fonte battesimale – The 1156 font in soapstone, with reliefs showing the blessing of the water and the administration of baptism.
- Founded
- 1957
- Visitors per year
- approx. 3,000
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3young people aged 6 to 17, people over 65, families with at least 4 paying members, groups of at least 10 people, people with disabilities, and FAI and Touring Club members |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 5 · Ages 6 to 17; school groups €1 |
| Seniors | €3Over 65 |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3People with disabilities: reduced rate |
| Groups (10+ people) | €3 per personGroups of at least 10 people; school groups and members of religious orders pay €1, the group escort is free |
| Biglietto Unico Museale della Valchiavenna (booklet for 12 museums and the Acquafraggia waterfalls) | €10Valid until 31 December of the year of purchase; on sale at the Infopoints |
Free admission for children aged 0 to 5, for journalists, guides and tourist escorts holding an ID card, and for teachers holding certification.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- 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
There are no architectural barriers inside the museum area and the rooms can be reached by wheelchair or pushchair; accessible toilets are available near the entrance.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Stroller-friendly
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours for school classes and organised groups on request. |
