Museo Diocesano di Faenza

The Faenza Diocesan Museum preserves sacred art, furnishings and frescoes spanning ten centuries inside the historic bishop's palace beside the cathedral.

Why it matters

The museum developed from the bishop's palace collection and preserves objects that document the history of worship and artistic patronage in the Faenza diocese. The palace's own architecture—from medieval structures to Renaissance floors and a Verona-marble loggia—forms an important part of the collection's setting.

What to notice

The Sala degli Affreschi preserves fourteenth-century paintings dated around 1330–1340, including the Trionfo della morte, Incontro dei tre vivi e dei tre morti and Giudizio finale. The Loggia Monterenzi contains a 1476 limestone baptismal font associated with the da Maiano workshop. Other rooms preserve altarpieces, devotional furnishings and paintings by artists including Carlo Cignani, Cristoforo Savolini, Ercole Graziani the Younger and Cristoforo Unterperger.

Context and history

The bishop's palace has origins in the twelfth century and retains thirteenth- and fourteenth-century fabric alongside later alterations. The museum grew from the palace's collection of sacred art and furnishings. The palace was restored after Second World War damage, preserving its historic rooms. A second museum venue at Santa Maria dell'Angelo presents exhibitions and cultural interpretation related to Faenza's artistic history.