Museo Diocesano di Brescia

About the museum

The San Giuseppe complex dates from the 16th century. In 1516, when Brescia returned under the Venetian Republic (Serenissima), the buildings around the walls were demolished and the Franciscan Friars Minor of the Observance moved to the area known as the “Curia dei Fabii”. The church and convent remained with the Franciscans until 1810, when the order was suppressed and the complex passed to the State property office (Demanio). The church was reopened for worship in 1896.

In 1973 the Diocese acquired the main cloister, and in 1978, at the wish of Bishop Luigi Morstabilini, the Fondazione Museo Diocesano (Diocesan Museum Foundation) was established; in the same year the first rooms were opened in the smaller cloisters. After long restoration work, in 1995 the main cloister became the seat of the museum.

The collections include historical and artistic property also from ecclesiastical bodies of the Brescia diocese: paintings and sculptures from the Brescian and Venetian areas, illuminated manuscripts, silverware and sacred goldsmiths' work, Orthodox icons, drawings and a very large collection of liturgical textiles. The permanent display is on the first floor.

Highlights

• Polyptych of Sant'Orsola by Antonio Vivarini
• Collection of liturgical textiles, among the largest in the world
• Illuminated manuscripts and sacred goldsmiths' work
• Orthodox icons
• Drawings with illustrations of Dante's Inferno
• Great cloister of San Giuseppe

Permanent exhibition

• Collezioni permanenti – On the first floor: paintings and sculptures from the Brescian and Venetian areas, illuminated manuscripts, sacred goldsmiths' work, liturgical textiles, icons and drawings. The Polyptych of Sant'Orsola by Antonio Vivarini stands out.

Founded

1978

Operated by

Fondazione Museo Diocesano

Visitors per year

approx. 26,000

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for journalists, clergy, tour guides, police and accompanying teachers of school groups; concessions must be shown with a valid document. For groups of at least 15 people there are combined tickets with the Duomo Vecchio (€8 standard, €6 reduced) and with the Duomo Vecchio and San Clemente (€10 standard, €8 reduced).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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 museum has lifts and stairlifts. Dogs are not admitted.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 500 guests.

The monumental refectory hall (up to 200 seats), the cloister (up to 500 seats) and the Sapienza room (up to 40 seats) can be rented for conferences, corporate events, concerts, performances, dinners and cultural activities.

Plan your visit