Museo Diocesano di Pinerolo

About the museum

The Museo Diocesano di Pinerolo is housed in the Palazzo Vescovile (Bishop's Palace), in the heart of the medieval historic centre, a short distance from the Cathedral of San Donato. The part of the building facing onto Via del Pino was built between 1906 and 1910 to a design by engineer Cambiano; on the ground floor a public theatre and then a cinema operated for decades. Between 1995 and 1997 the former cinema was converted into the museum, with the display designed by Mario Marchiando Pacchiola, while the former gym became the Sala Pacem in Terris.

Opened in 1997 and considered the first diocesan museum established in Piedmont, it tells the story of more than 250 years of episcopal presence, since the foundation of the diocese in 1748. The route presents history, worship and art through works from churches and chapels of the area that would be difficult to view in their original places or at risk of deterioration.

The works on display are mainly 17th-century paintings, such as the large altarpieces copied from Rubens and Poussin and the Visitation by the Dufour family, and 18th-century wooden sculptures. There are also 15th-century frescoes detached from Frossasco, works from the school of Enrico Reffo and the cartoons for frescoes by Michele Baretta, as well as vestments, liturgical furnishings and archive papers.

Highlights

• First diocesan museum established in Piedmont (1997)
• Altarpiece of Saint Michael and the Rebel Angels, copy after Rubens
• 15th-century frescoes detached from Frossasco
• 18th-century wooden sculptures attributed to Francesco Ignazio Perucca
• Cartoons for frescoes by Michele Baretta
• Vestments, liturgical furnishings and archive papers

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione permanente del Museo Diocesano – Paintings, sculptures, vestments and liturgical furnishings from churches and chapels of the Pinerolo diocese.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Diocesi di Pinerolo

Director

Mariella Fenoglio

Visitors per year

approx. 500

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission according to local tourist listings.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the Palazzo Vescovile, in the historic centre of Pinerolo, next to the Cathedral of San Donato.

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