The diocesan museum is located in the historic center of Gubbio, between the cathedral dedicated to Saints James and Marian and the ducal palace, built by Federico da Montefeltro at the end of the 14th century. The museum itinerary is set within the Palazzo del Capitolo dei Canonici. Built in the 13th century and later expanded, the palace housed the College of Canons responsible for the liturgical worship of the cathedral, whose communal life was regulated by Saint Ubaldo. Inside a unique and fascinating architectural complex, visitors can trace the origin and history of the ancient diocese of Gubbio. Stone materials from Roman, Byzantine, and early medieval periods alternate with interesting paintings from the 14th and 15th centuries, a time when local artistic production was particularly flourishing, as well as precious ecclesiastical furnishings and liturgical vestments. The collection consists of objects from the cathedral, religious buildings of the city and surroundings, and some privately owned pieces. The archaeological section features Roman funerary steles, tombstones, and grave slabs. Among the paintings, the panels by local artist Mello, active between the third and sixth decades of the 14th century, depicting the Madonna with Child stand out. Clear influences from Ambrogio Lorenzetti are evident, a frequent reference also for other local painters, suggesting the presence in the area of works by the Sienese artist now lost. The 15th century is well represented through painters from Ottaviano Nelli’s circle and a cycle of frescoes depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ from the crypt of the church of Santa Maria dei Laici, while subsequent centuries are represented by works of Benedetto Nucci, Ignazio Danti, il Pomarancio, Francesco Allegroni, and Sassoferrato. Of particular interest is the chasuble of Marcello II, bishop of Gubbio between 1544 and 1555, a 15th-century Flemish manufacture, probably designed by Giusto di Gand. Completing the collection are a series of reliquaries and ecclesiastical furnishings, silverware, and episcopal insignia including the silver staurotheca by Giovanni Giardino, whose design is preserved in Berlin at the Kunstbibliothek. From Via Federico da Montefeltro, you can see, behind a grate, a large 15th-century wooden barrel with a capacity of 387 barrels, about 200 hectoliters, called the Canons’ Barrel.
Information about the Diocesan Museum of Gubbio
Via Federico da Montefeltro, 22
06024 Gubbio (Perugia)
075 9274920
info@museogubbio.it
https://www.museogubbio.it
Source: MIBACT
