Museo San Giovanni de' Fiorentini

Museum of sacred art in the attic above the right nave of the basilica of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini, with sculptures, paintings and furnishings from the 13th to the 20th century.

Opening hoursFree admission

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About the museum

Over the centuries the Florentine national church in Rome has gathered important works of art. When, between the 19th and 20th centuries, the religious and social buildings of the Florentine community were demolished, many works were moved elsewhere and only partly returned to the church. The museum was created to preserve and display them.

Opened in 2001 after about three years of works, it occupies the attic above the right nave of the basilica: the restored spaces form a sequence of rooms resembling a gallery, with the ancient timber trusses exposed and natural light coming in through the skylights. The route has seven rooms with liturgical objects, sculptures, paintings and furnishings dating from the 13th to the 20th century, with about 48 works on display and another 20 in storage.

The museum also hosts concerts, lectures and thematic exhibitions, often in collaboration with universities and local cultural organisations.

Highlights

Marble statue of the Young Saint John by Michelangelo
Busts of Antonio Coppola and Antonio Cepparello by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Oval relief by Pierino da Vinci
Ancient timber trusses exposed in the attic
Liturgical objects from the 13th to the 20th century

Founded: 2001
Operated by: Basilica di San Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini
Visitors per year: approx. 5,000