Museo di Santa Chiara
Museum of the Conservatorio di Santa Chiara in San Miniato: church, nuns’ choir and sacred artworks from the 14th to the 18th century.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Santa Chiara monastery was founded in San Miniato in 1226 on the site of an earlier Cistercian convent; the present building dates from 1339. For centuries it was home to the Poor Clares, until in 1785 the complex was converted into a conservatory for the education of girls. After Italian unification it passed to the Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione (Ministry of Public Instruction), and today it still houses a school.
The museum was established in 2002 and was formed mainly from the nuns’ own possessions: dowries, donations from families and the nuns’ handiwork. From the 2022/2023 academic year the Fondazione Conservatorio Santa Chiara has managed and promoted it, with the support of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di San Miniato.
The visit includes several rooms of the former convent, including the nuns’ ancient choir, the outer church and the chapel dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene. Among the works are the Immaculate Conception of 1596 by Iacopo Chimenti, known as l’Empoli, the Dead Christ Supported by Angels by Pier Francesco Foschi, the Noli me tangere by Cigoli and two painted 14th-century crosses, one of which is by Deodato Orlandi. Also notable are an ebony and ivory reliquary with the coat of arms of the Buonaparte family and silk altar frontals embroidered by the nuns.
Highlights
- Immaculate Conception by Iacopo Chimenti, known as l’Empoli
- Noli me tangere by Cigoli
- Painted cross by Deodato Orlandi (1301)
- Ebony and ivory reliquary with the Buonaparte coat of arms
- Nuns’ choir and chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene
- Founded
- 2002
- Operated by
- Fondazione Conservatorio Santa Chiara
- Visitors per year
- approx. 618
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Good to know | Visits by appointment are possible by writing to the foundation’s office. |
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