It was founded in 1928 by Father Leonardo Montalti from Mercato Saraceno, who, following visits to various convents in the Capuchin provinces of Bologna and Romagna, gathered the most precious and endangered materials in order to preserve them and make them more accessible. It is housed in premises adjacent to the elegant Conti cloister (1722) annexed to the Church of San Giuseppe.
About one hundred paintings and several sacred furnishings from churches and convents of various Emilian and Romagnol locations are preserved there, including works by Pietro Lianori, Marco Zoppo, Innocenzo da Imola, Prospero Fontana, Calvaert, Cesi, Passerotti, Faccini, Scarsellino, Bononi, Cantarini, Franceschini, Crespi, Gandolfi, Calvi. Among modern works (20th century), pieces by Majani and Brindisi. Among the sculptures, particular mention goes to the plastic groups by Zaccaria Zacchi from Volterra (16th century), Mazza, Piò, Rossetti.
