Beauty and spirituality at the Diocesan Museum of Brescia

The Diocesan Museum of Brescia is one of the most significant cultural landmarks preserving and showcasing the artistic and religious heritage of the city and its province. Located in the heart of the historic center, just steps from the Duomo and Piazza della Loggia, the museum houses a rich collection of sacred art spanning from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. Beyond telling the religious history of Brescia and Northern Italy through valuable works of art, the museum serves as a crossroads of faith, art and culture, blending beauty with Christian spirituality.

The Diocesan Museum of Brescia was established in 1978 by the Diocese of Brescia to collect, preserve and promote art pieces from churches across the diocese and other religious contexts within the province. It was created to protect this valuable heritage, which risked being dispersed or damaged due to changing worship practices and challenges in preserving artifacts at their original locations.

The museum is housed in the convent complex of San Giuseppe, adjacent to the church of the same name. Its entrance is located at Via Gasparo da Salò 13. The complex is built around a charming cloister dominated by a large cherry tree, adorned with beautiful wisteria blooms in spring.

In autumn 2024, the museum unveiled a refreshed layout, enhancing the visitor experience with improved displays alongside thematic paths that guide visitors through centuries of art and faith.

The permanent collection at the Diocesan Museum of Brescia includes a wide array of sacred art pieces such as paintings, sculptures, reliquaries, liturgical furnishings, textiles and manuscripts. These works, mostly sourced from churches in the Brescia diocese, offer a priceless insight into the religious and artistic history of Brescia and its surrounding region.

A highlight of the collection is its paintings, featuring masterpieces by prominent Renaissance artists of Brescia, including Romanino, Moretto and Girolamo Savoldo. These artists, active between the 15th and 16th centuries, are celebrated for their realism and deep spiritual intensity.

Among the standout pieces is the “Madonna and Child in Glory with Saint John the Evangelist, Blessed Lorenzo Giustiniani and the Allegory of Divine Wisdom” by Moretto, a work of exceptional elegance often referred to as the “Raphael of Brescia.” Additionally, the museum’s collection of 17th- and 18th-century votive offerings is a must-see.

The museum also boasts an impressive collection of wooden sculptures, including a crucifix crafted by Maffeo Olivieri and Paolo da Caylina the Younger, originally housed in the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Botticino Sera.

Noteworthy among the liturgical artifacts are reliquaries made with precious materials and intricately designed, as well as sacred vestments showcasing centuries of textile techniques and embroidery artistry. The museum also features an exquisite collection of illuminated manuscripts, preserved in an underground hall designed for optimal conservation.