Museum of Sacred Art in Montecatini Alto

The ancient Parish Museum of Montecatini Alto occupies some rooms adjacent to the Church of San Pietro Apostolo dating back to the 11th century.

It was inaugurated on May 28, 1900 at the behest of Monsignor Giovanni Paponi, in order to protect and make accessible the treasures of the Castle of Montecatini Alto, which miraculously escaped the looting of 1554.

In 1907, the Ministry then responsible for the protection of the artistic heritage and the General Director of the monuments of Florence, concerned about the fate of the heritage of the Church, forced Monsignor Paponi to dismantle everything. However, certain of the importance that the Museum represented for the Montecatini community and for the tourists visiting, he succeeded in his intent and obtained the consent to keep the museum open to the public.

In 1934 the Museum was expanded by his nephew Don Tito Paponi to house the monumental fresco “Christ in Glory between Angels and Saints” from the nearby Romanesque church of Santa Margherita - the remains of which cannot be visited - in the convent of San Agostino.

A serious theft, which occurred in January 1980, led to its closure to the public. Now it can be visited again and houses the Permanent Nativity Scene of the Provostship of San Pietro Apostolo, candelabras and liturgical vestments, precious works of various kinds, all related to sacred art, including the stunning Reliquary of Santa Barbara, a work in chiseled silver from the first half of the fifteenth century by a Florentine workshop.

Open to public.