Museo diocesano di Caltanissetta

About the museum

The museum was founded on the initiative of Mons. Giovanni Speciale, who inaugurated its first wing in 1987. The idea took off when a sacristan at the Vittorio Emanuele hospital pointed out some rolled-up canvases forgotten in a storeroom: after restoration they turned out to be works by the Capuchin painters Fra Fedele da San Biagio and Fra Felice da Sambuca. The museum was later named in memory of Mons. Speciale.

The seat is the ground floor of the Seminario vescovile dei chierici, a building designed by the architect Luigi Greco between 1901 and 1912, opposite the Palazzo Provinciale. The collection has grown over time with canvases, sculptures, vestments and furnishings recovered from the sacristies and cupboards of the diocese's churches; today the route comprises ten rooms and two galleries.

Over five hundred works from the 15th to the 21st century are preserved: paintings, sculptures, silverware, liturgical vestments and objects of applied art. In the old wing there are, among others, an ivory casket from the Embriachi workshop and the “Spasimo di Sicilia”; the modern and contemporary wing presents works by Guglielmo Borremans and Vincenzo Gemito, as well as 20th-century works from Mons. Speciale's private collection.

Highlights

• Over 500 works from the 15th to the 21st century
• Paintings by the Capuchins Fra Felice da Sambuca and Fra Fedele da San Biagio
• Altarpiece by Guglielmo Borremans with Saint Vincent Ferrer
• “Malatiello”, bronze by Vincenzo Gemito
• Ivory casket from the Embriachi workshop

Permanent exhibitions

• Ala antica – Rooms from the 15th to the 18th century with wooden sculptures, silverware, the chapel decorated in 1907 and paintings by Vincenzo Roggeri and the Capuchins.
• Ala moderna e contemporanea – Works from the 18th to the 21st century, with Guglielmo Borremans, 20th-century artists of the Brera school and contemporary sculptures.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Diocesi di Caltanissetta

Director

Giuseppe Di Vita

Visitors per year

approx. 5,000

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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

According to the Distretto turistico delle Miniere, access for people with disabilities is via the Via Cairoli entrance.

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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