Museo e tesoro del Duomo di Monza

About the museum

The Museo e Tesoro del Duomo di Monza preserves the possessions of the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist, whose core goes back to the liturgical furnishings given by the Lombard queen Theodelinda, later enriched by Berengar I and the Visconti. The first known inventory dates from 1275; the most serious losses occurred in the Napoleonic era, when in 1796 the basilica had to hand over two thirds of its gold and half of its silver to be melted down, and some works, such as the Crown of Agilulf and the Evangeliary of Ariberto, never returned.

The museum was established in 1963 as the Museo Serpero in a hypogeal structure beneath the Chiostrino (small cloister) of the cathedral, devoted mainly to the vanished early medieval basilica. In 2007 the extension, the Sezione Gaiani, designed by Cini Boeri, was inaugurated over two underground levels: it houses evidence from 1300, the year the reconstruction of the present basilica began, and works from the 14th to the 20th century.

Among the most important pieces are the so-called Cross of Agilulf, the votive crown and the binding of the Evangeliary of Theodelinda, the Reliquary of the Tooth of Saint John and the Reliquary Cross of Berengar I, the Chalice of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, the Sapphire Cup, the 16th-century tapestries and six silver reliquary busts. The museum is managed by the Fondazione Gaiani.

Highlights

• The so-called Cross of Agilulf, votive crown and Evangeliary of Theodelinda
• Reliquary of the tooth of Saint John and the cross of Berengar I
• Chalice of Gian Galeazzo Visconti and 16th-century tapestries
• Sezione Gaiani with works from the 14th to the 20th century
• Underground structure beside the cathedral, close to the Chapel of Theodelinda

Permanent exhibitions

• Sezione Serpero – Underground core of 1963, devoted mainly to the ancient early medieval basilica, with the treasures of Theodelinda and the Lombards.
• Sezione Gaiani – Extension opened in 2007 over two underground levels, with works from the 14th to the 20th century.

Founded

1963

Operated by

Fondazione Gaiani

Visitors per year

approx. 43,472 (2022)

Admission & discounts

Prices given by a directory of Italian museums, to be checked with the museum.

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

A directory of Italian museums reports access for people with disabilities; for details it is best to contact the museum.

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

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

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