Museo della Madonna del Parto
Civic museum of Monterchi that houses Piero della Francesca’s Madonna del Parto, a 15th-century fresco.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum holds the Madonna del Parto, a fresco by Piero della Francesca dating from around 1450 to 1465. The work was painted in the little church of Santa Maria di Momentana, on the slopes of the Montione hill, over an earlier 14th-century fresco of the Virgin and Child, the so-called Madonna del Latte, discovered in 1911 when the painting was detached. It is believed that Piero made it in memory of his mother, who came from Monterchi.
Over the centuries the church was partly demolished (1785) to make room for the cemetery, and the fresco suffered damage from the earthquakes of 1789 and 1917. After being temporarily moved to Sansepolcro, it returned to Monterchi in 1922; during the Second World War the inhabitants defended the work from fear that it would be taken away. A conservation restoration was entrusted in the 1990s, on the occasion of the fifth centenary of the artist’s death.
Since 1992 the fresco has been displayed in a museum specially fitted out in the historic centre of Monterchi. The route includes an immersive video room on the history of the town and Piero’s link with the village, artistic and scientific insights into the work, the fragment of the Madonna del Latte and a bookshop. The same ticket also gives access to the Museo delle Bilance (Museum of Scales) in the nearby Palazzo Massi.
Highlights
- Madonna del Parto by Piero della Francesca (around 1450–1465)
- 14th-century fragment of the Madonna del Latte
- Immersive video room on the history of Monterchi and the fresco
- Combined visit with the Museo delle Bilance in Palazzo Massi
- Audio guide in Italian and English
- Museo delle Bilance in Palazzo Massi with about 160 weighing instruments
Permanent exhibition
- Madonna del Parto – Fresco by Piero della Francesca, around 1450–1465, displayed in a case together with the 14th-century fragment of the Madonna del Latte.
- Founded
- 1993
- Operated by
- Comune di Monterchi
- Visitors per year
- approx. 25,000
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
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
The museum is reached by an external ramp, and inside it is completely free of architectural barriers, including the toilets.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 30 min |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
Guided visits for families are possible by reservation; for schools an educational programme with workshops is available. In the Museo delle Bilance a route for the youngest visitors, with the character Staderino, offers readings and hands-on activities.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
Bookshop inside the museum. Bags, umbrellas and bulky items must be left at the entrance according to the regulations.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (IT, EN) |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | The museum regulations prohibit photography and video recording in the exhibition rooms. |
| Good to know | Guided visits for groups, schools and families with museum staff, by reservation by e-mail at least one week in advance. The educational programme 2026/2027 for schools can be downloaded from the website. |
