Museo del Santuario di Bonaria

About the museum

After the restorations of the 1950s the sanctuary was returned to its original Gothic-Catalan lines, and all the ex-votos kept there were removed and temporarily placed in some rooms. In 1968 the idea arose of creating a small museum to preserve that treasure of faith and popular piety accumulated over the centuries; it opened in July 1968 on the occasion of the summer festival of Bonaria.

The museum soon proved too small for the many objects, so within a few months a larger space was created in one of the twelve cisterns that supplied water to the large community of the convent. The earlier museum has not been closed, but its most valuable pieces have been moved to the new one, which welcomes visitors from all over.

The memorabilia are largely ex-votos from survivors of shipwreck or slavery, but there are also offerings from sovereigns, such as the gold crowns given in 1816 by Vittorio Emanuele I and Maria Teresa, as well as vestments, monstrances, chalices and reliquaries, sabres, decorations and coins. Since the Virgin of Bonaria is patron saint of seafarers, the maritime ex-votos are the most numerous, including very rare ship models. The large silver anchor offered by Queen Margherita di Savoia on the occasion of the polar expedition of Luigi di Savoia, Duke of the Abruzzi, stands out. The route is laid out over three rooms and a corridor that overlooks the cloister below.

Highlights

• Maritime ex-votos and a collection of ship models
• Large silver anchor offered by Queen Margherita di Savoia
• Gold crowns given in 1816 by Vittorio Emanuele I and Maria Teresa
• Monstrances, chalices and precious reliquaries
• Housed in a former cistern of the convent

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione permanente di ex voto e cimeli – Three rooms and a corridor overlooking the cloister, with maritime ex-votos, ship models, vestments and gifts from sovereigns.

Founded

1968

Operated by

Santuario di Nostra Signora di Bonaria

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission by voluntary donation.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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 Sardinia Region entry indicates facilitated physical access for visitors with specific needs.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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