Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Sacred art museum next to Cathedral of Santo Stefano, Prato, Italy
The Museo dell'Opera del Duomo is an art museum situated next to the Cathedral of Santo Stefano and displays religious works spanning different periods. The exhibition occupies multiple rooms and includes paintings, sculptures, archaeological finds, and a medieval cloister structure.
The museum was founded in 1967 within the Bishop's Palace to preserve artworks from the Cathedral and surrounding diocesan territory. Over the decades, the collection grew through acquisitions and restoration of pieces connected to the local artistic tradition.
The collections feature artists closely connected to Prato's artistic life, including Filippo Lippi and Donatello, whose works shaped the city's cultural development. Walking through the rooms gives visitors a sense of how major Renaissance artists worked within this community.
The entrance is located at the base of the cathedral bell tower next to the main church and is easy to locate. Visitors should allow time to explore multiple exhibition rooms and can also visit the adjacent cathedral.
Underground frescoes hidden beneath the cathedral's transept date from the 14th century and offer insight into medieval funeral practices that few visitors know about. This overlooked section reveals works by local artists rarely seen in other collections.
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