Museo diocesano d'Arte Sacra, art museum in Pienza
The Museo diocesano d'Arte Sacra is an art museum housed in Palazzo Borgia, a historic building at the heart of Pienza. It contains eleven rooms filled with paintings, sculptures, and religious objects spanning from the 1200s to the 1800s, including works by Pietro Lorenzetti, Bartolo di Fredi, and Luca Signorelli.
The museum grew from the cathedral's original collection and expanded over time with artworks and liturgical objects from local churches. The rooms were carefully arranged to show how religious art evolved across the centuries, influenced by the Siena school and new artistic movements from Florence.
The museum's name reflects its role as a keeper of religious art and local spiritual traditions. The displayed objects show how deeply faith shaped daily life here and how artists used paintings and sculptures to express their beliefs and tell stories to the community.
The museum is open during daytime hours and provides a quiet, respectful space for exploring. Wear comfortable shoes as you walk slowly through the rooms to take in the artworks and historical objects at your own pace.
One of the most precious items is the Piviale of Pope Pius II, a richly embroidered vestment depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. This English masterpiece reveals that religious artworks traveled from distant lands and reflected international artistic connections in the region.
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