Museo diocesano «Mons. Aurelio Marena»
Museum of the Archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto in the former episcopal seminary of Bitonto, with over 2,500 works of sacred art across three floors.
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About the museum
The Museo diocesano di Bitonto, named after Monsignor Aurelio Marena, was created between 1969 and 1970 and opened in 1970. It holds the artistic heritage of the co-cathedral of Bitonto and of other churches in the area, and is the museum of the Archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto; previously the collection was kept in the episcopal curia. A detached section of the Museo diocesano di Bari was opened in Bitonto in 1986.
The site is the former episcopal seminary, adjoining the church of San Francesco d’Assisi, known as “della Scarpa”, and spreads over several floors with a roof garden.
The collection numbers over 2,500 pieces, among the largest of any diocesan museum in southern Italy. The first floor has 19th- and 20th-century Apulian painting, Sèvres vases, sacred furnishings, Neapolitan silverwork and a Romanesque lapidary. The second floor houses 17th- and 18th-century paintings, sculptures from the 15th and 17th centuries, a 12th-century Byzantine icon of the Virgin, a 14th-century Umbrian crucifix and a stone presepe (nativity scene). On the third floor are works of the 17th-century Bitonto school, including artists such as Carlo Rosa and Nicola Gliri.
Highlights
- Over 2,500 works of sacred art across three floors
- 12th-century Byzantine icon of the Virgin
- 14th-century Umbrian crucifix and stone nativity scene
- 17th-century Bitonto school paintings, including Carlo Rosa and Nicola Gliri
- Neapolitan silverwork, Sèvres vases and Romanesque lapidary
Permanent exhibition
- Collezione permanente del Museo diocesano – Sacred art across three floors: 19th- and 20th-century Apulian painting, 17th- and 18th-century paintings, sculptures, icons and works of the Bitonto school.
- Founded
- 1970
- Operated by
- Arcidiocesi di Bari-Bitonto
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