Museo del Tesoro di San Pietro
The museum of the Basilica of St Peter houses liturgical furnishings, vestments and art objects donated to the basilica over the centuries.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Tesoro di San Pietro (Treasury of St Peter’s) came into being with the basilica itself and grew over the centuries thanks to the gifts of benefactors. It was lost several times: plundering and raids, from the Visigoths in 410 to the Landsknechts in 1527, and the requisitions of the Jacobin period (1798–1799) caused serious losses. After each disaster the treasury was rebuilt with what remained and with new donations.
For centuries the furnishings and sacred vessels, once used in celebrations, were shown only to scholars and distinguished guests. A first display open to the public was set up in 1909 in two rooms and enlarged in 1949. Before the Jubilee of 1975, the architect Franco Minissi redesigned the displays, placing the individual objects at the centre.
The museum, which houses among other things the ciborium by Donatello, the tomb monument of Sixtus IV by Pollaiolo and the sarcophagus of Giunio Basso, is currently temporarily closed: a new display project is under way.
Highlights
- Donatello’s ciborium
- Tomb monument of Sixtus IV by Pollaiolo
- Sarcophagus of Giunio Basso (4th century)
- Vestments and liturgical furnishings of the basilica
Permanent exhibition
- Tesoro di San Pietro – Liturgical furnishings and sacred vessels, once used in the basilica’s celebrations, and works of art donated over the centuries.
- Founded
- 1909
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
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
For information on the accessibility of the Basilica, contact the Fabbrica di San Pietro (accoglienza@fsp.va, +39 06 6988 3462).
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
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | When the museum is open, the visit is made with a digital audio guide and requires booking on the Basilica’s website; the Basilica itself can be visited without booking through the regular entrance. |
