Museo Diocesano de Palencia

About the museum

The Museo Diocesano de Palencia was founded in 1973 to protect and conserve the religious heritage of the province's churches and hermitages, which were at serious risk of deterioration or loss due to historical, social and demographic change. It is housed in the Episcopal Palace on Calle Mayor Antigua, a building remodelled in the 18th century on the orders of Bishop José Luis Molinedo, with a neoclassical look and Herrerian influences. The museum occupies the ground floor and the first floor, as well as the basements and the courtyard.

The collection of more than 700 works from parishes across the province includes sculpture, painting, altarpieces, archaeology, silverwork and textiles, with pieces dating from the 7th century to the present day. As soon as you enter, you see a Mudéjar coffered ceiling and a Romanesque baptismal font from Valcobero. There are works by Pedro Berruguete, Jan Provost, Alejo de Vahía, Mateo Cerezo and Felipe Vigarny, among others, and a silverwork section with medieval and Renaissance processional crosses.

All visits are guided and, whenever possible, include the bishop's private chapel on the piano nobile. It was built at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century by Bishop Enrique Almaraz y Santos and is dedicated to Saint Teresa of Jesus. Its walls and ceiling, painted by Mariano Lantada, a native of Palencia, have earned it the nickname “the Sistine Chapel” of Palencia.

Highlights

• More than 700 sacred art works from parishes across the province of Palencia
• Mudéjar coffered ceiling and Romanesque baptismal font from Valcobero
• Works by Pedro Berruguete, Jan Provost, Alejo de Vahía and Felipe Vigarny
• Silverwork section with medieval and Renaissance processional crosses
• Bishop's private chapel, known as the “Sistine Chapel” of Palencia

Permanent exhibitions

• Colección permanente de arte sacro – More than 700 works of sculpture, painting, altarpieces, archaeology, silverwork and textiles from the parishes of the province of Palencia.
• Capilla privada del obispo – Chapel dedicated to Saint Teresa of Jesus, painted by Mariano Lantada and known as the “Sistine Chapel” of Palencia; it is visited whenever possible.

Founded

1973

Operated by

Diócesis de Palencia

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Monday from 10:30 to 12:30

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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