Museo Diocesano di Arte Sacra di Volterra

The Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art of Volterra occupies the former Church of Sant'Agostino. Its paintings, reliquaries and liturgical objects bring together works from the cathedral and other churches of the diocese.

Why it matters

The museum preserves movable works of art from Volterra's religious heritage while retaining the furnishings and architectural setting of Sant'Agostino. A new arrangement opened in 2017, bringing the collection into a historic church interior.

What to notice

Among the collection's central works are Rosso Fiorentino's Madonna enthroned with Saints John the Baptist and Bartholomew, Benvenuto di Giovanni's Annunciation dated 1466, and a silver and gilt-copper reliquary bust of Saint Ottaviano attributed to Antonio del Pollaiolo. The museum also displays a painting of Saints Thomas of Villanova and Clare of Montefalco by Baldassarre Franceschini, known as il Volterrano, and a fourteenth-century illuminated book. The church's high altar dates to 1751.

Context and history

Sant'Agostino began as a thirteenth-century single-nave church. Augustinians served it until 1785, when the order left under reforms by Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo. Later rebuilding transformed the interior into three vaulted aisles; the façade combines Romanesque and eighteenth-century elements. The church became home to the diocesan collection, which includes works from Volterra's cathedral and parish churches.