Diocesan Museum of San Matteo — Attraction in Salerno

The Diocesan Museum is undoubtedly the most important container of works of art in Salerno. The current headquarters is not the original one, but corresponds to the recovery of the structure of the Diocesan Seminary, which, with the Library and the Archive, constitutes a large cultural center for the city and the province. The current configuration of the building corresponds to the works carried out in 1832 by Archbishop Lupoli. Following this intervention, the complex took on a strictly neoclassical physiognomy with a symmetrical development built around the central axis of the door, on whose keystone the marble coat of arms of the prelate stands out, and of the balcony above, framed by an aedicule which it echoes a classical temple. The Museum's artistic heritage includes works ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. In it you can find – the Salerno ivories: – an illuminated scroll of the Exultet, divided into 11 parchment sheets illustrating the Easter Preconium (praeconium paschale, announcement of Easter), dating back to the end of the first half of the 13th century; – A painted Cross (known as the Barliario), from the early 13th century; – the wooden Cross (called by Roberto il Guiscardo) – a rich collection of tempera paintings from the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. – some canvases from the Caravaggio school donated by the Marquis Giovanni Ruggi D'Aragona in 1870 to the Cathedral of Salerno. – several works by Andrea Sabatini, – Baroque painting – Part of the collection of coins from Magna Graecia, the Roman Republic, the Roman Empire and the Mint of Salerno – other works such as a marble figurine depicting a Madonna with child from the 15th century, a seal of Romualdo II Guarna, a silver bishop's ring from the 17th century from the Cathedral, a detached fresco depicting two saints from the 13th century from the church of S. Maria de Lama of Salerno, four mosaic slabs from the 12th century, two fragments of pluteus with geometric and vegetal motifs from the 9th century once used as steps of the Cathedral Crypt, a plaque in Latin and one in Hebrew, an urn alabaster reliquary from the 10th-11th century. In addition to the works on display, the Museum preserves paintings, especially on wood and canvas, which date from the 14th to the 20th century. Also worth mentioning is a Pontifical ad usum Ecclesiae...

The diocesan museum is home to many things. The majority of them are, at least for me and in my opinion, not worth visiting for. Paintings from mostly the baroque era, and many former interior decorations from the duomo are inside.

The highlights of the visit are the ivory cuttings, being the most interesting yet small part of the visit. There also is the old picture scroll, which is also worth the visit.

The major point of criticism is the non-existence of chairs and extended information about the pieces. You really do need to use your phone and the provided QR-Codes to find it yourself.

Overall, the museum has both high- and lowlights, so decide for yourself if the few interesting things are...

Judging by the previous reviews, the display of the wonderful ivories has been recently refurbished. They are now in smart display cabinets, beautifully lit and with information in Italian and English. There is a room which shows several altenative ideas for the original arrangement of the ivories. If you are arriving by train, get off one stop early at Salerno Duomo - Via Vernieri and the Diocesan Museum is 3 minutes’ walk. Very highly...