Museo diocesano Francesco Gonzaga

About the museum

The museum is housed in the former Augustinian monastery of Sant'Agnese, a short distance from the cathedral and Palazzo Ducale, near Piazza Virgiliana. The monastery was founded in the 14th century by followers of the Blessed Giovanni Bono; after the suppressions of the 18th century the church was demolished and the buildings were put to civil use, until they were recovered by the diocese in the mid-20th century. The neoclassical façade onto Piazza Virgiliana is the work of Paolo Pozzo (1795).

The idea for the museum came from the success of the exhibition “Tesori d'arte nella terra dei Gonzaga”, staged in 1974 at Palazzo Ducale. The Museo diocesano d'arte sacra was inaugurated in 1983 with works from churches in the diocese, including paintings, sculptures, goldwork, textiles, illuminated books and ivories that were no longer used after the liturgical reform or were at risk in their original locations.

Today the whole building is dedicated to the museum, named after Francesco Gonzaga. The rooms house, among other things, enamels, ivories and coins; the two Gonzaga Rooms with precious goldwork donated by the rulers of Mantua to the Basilica of Santa Barbara and the cathedral; Parisian tapestries, armour and works by the 18th-century painter Giuseppe Bazzani.

Highlights

• Gonzaga Rooms with goldwork and reliquaries
• Roman Missal known as the Missal of Barbara of Brandenburg
• Parisian tapestries of the early 16th century
• Armour Room
• Works by Giuseppe Bazzani
• Tactile routes and a room with tactile reproductions

Permanent exhibitions

• Sale Gonzaga – Two rooms with goldwork, ivories, reliquaries and the Missal of Barbara of Brandenburg, witnesses to the splendor of the Gonzaga court.
• Arazzi di Parigi – Early 16th-century French tapestries held by the museum.
• Armature – Section devoted to armour, with the Armour Room fitted with a mezzanine.

Founded

1983

Operated by

Diocesi di Mantova

Visitors per year

approx. 10,000

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for priests and religious, Mirabilia members, tour guides, military personnel, ICOM Card holders and diocesan employees. The Musei Lombardia e Piemonte pass, the Mantova e Sabbioneta Card, the Garda Ticket, and the combined ticket or supplement for the Cupola di Sant'Andrea are accepted.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The main entrance has a large staircase; the second entrance has a lift and opens on request (buzzer or phone 0376 320602). The route is on a single level with small changes in level bridged by ramps; the mezzanine of the Armour Room can only be reached by stairs. Some display cases may make viewing difficult for wheelchair users and children. There is an accessible toilet on the first floor. Tactile maps, tactile routes for blind and partially sighted visitors and a room with tactile reproductions of works are available, with audio guides and guides in Braille. Reserved parking spaces in nearby car parks.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The route from the second car park to the museum has numerous architectural barriers.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit