Museo Diocesano «Monsignor Aurelio Sorrentino»
Museum of sacred art beside the Cathedral of Reggio Calabria, with goldsmiths' work, liturgical textiles, sculptures and paintings from the Archdiocese of Reggio Calabria-Bova.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Diocesan Museum of Reggio Calabria, named after Monsignor Aurelio Sorrentino, was inaugurated on 7 October 2010 on the ground floor of the late 18th-century wing of the archiepiscopal palace, adjoining the Cathedral. It preserves and displays an important collection of sacred art from the Cathedral and the diocesan territory.
The site corresponds to a wing of the old Archbishop's palace, built at the end of the 18th century on the ruins of the 16th-century building destroyed by the earthquake of 1783 and redesigned within the neoclassical rebuilding of the city. The rooms, originally stables on the ground floor and kitchens on the first floor, survived the earthquake of 1908 and the bombings of 1943. During the work to adapt them into a museum, sections of the ancient floor of decorated ceramic tiles from Naples came to light.
The exhibition route documents the historical and religious identities of the ancient episcopal sees of Reggio Calabria and Bova, united in 1986, through thematic spaces devoted to stone fragments of the Cathedral, altar furnishings, the adoration and custody of the Eucharist, art for the liturgy, the Treasury of the Cathedrals, the bishop as patron of art, confraternities, the cult of the saints, liturgical vestments and icons.
Highlights
- Treasury of the Cathedrals of Reggio Calabria and Bova
- Goldsmiths' work and liturgical textiles from the 15th to the 20th century
- Wooden and papier-mâché sculptures, stone works and paintings
- Sections on confraternities, the cult of the saints, vestments and icons
- “Ninì Sapone” nativity scenes
- Housed in the 18th-century wing of the former Archbishop's palace
Permanent exhibition
- Percorso espositivo di arte sacra – Thematic spaces on fragments of the Cathedral, altar furnishings, the Treasury of the Cathedrals, confraternities, the cult of the saints, liturgical vestments and icons.
- Founded
- 2010
- Operated by
- Arcidiocesi di Reggio Calabria-Bova
- Visitors per year
- approx. 4,000
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Young people aged 6 to 18, over-65s, groups of at least 15 people, university students, teachers, priests, religious and seminarians from other dioceses, Ministry of Culture (MiC) staff, members of FAI, TCI and AMEI |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 5 · Free admission for children under 6; reduced ticket for ages 6 to 18. |
| Seniors | €3Reduced for over-65s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and their companions. |
| Students & apprentices | €3Reduced for university students; free for students of Lettere (Humanities, archaeology or art history curriculum), Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Architecture, Educational Sciences and the Academies of Fine Arts. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €3 per personGroups of at least 15 people |
| Families | €102 adults with up to 2 children aged 12 or under. |
Free admission also for teachers accompanying classes, priests, religious and diocesan seminarians, tourist guides and journalists with press card, and ICOM members.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €10 · 2 adults with up to 2 children aged 12 or under. |
- Family tours & workshops
Educational services for families, with the “Elio e Bacolo” route and creative workshops for children and young people; free admission under 6s and a family ticket.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Reggio Calabria Centrale railway station is a few minutes' walk away. From Lido station, walk along Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi towards the Cathedral. From Tito Minniti airport, the museum is reached in about 15 minutes by car, taxi or bus.
The museum is next to the Cathedral, at Via Tommaso Campanella 63 (to the left of the Libreria Paoline). Entrance is also possible through the vehicle entrance at Via Mons. Ferro 24, behind the Cathedral. By car: A3 motorway, exit “Porto – Reggio Calabria”, or from the SS 106 ring road, exit “Reggio Centro – CEDIR”.
Get directionsAmenities & 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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours for groups of at least 15 people by booking. The museum offers educational services for schools of all levels, families (the “Elio e Bacolo” route), groups, catechism sessions at the museum, PCTO (school-work programmes) and internships. Booking forms are available on the website. |
