Bolzano Cathedral Treasury

In the ancient priory of the Assumption of Our Lady Cathedral, dating back to 1275, there is the Bolzano Cathedral Treasury - "Domschatzkammer Bozen" in German, "Tesoro del Duomo di Bolzano" in Italian -, a museum dedicated to sacred arts. Known as one of the most comprehensive Baroque church inventories of Tyrol, this museum makes you admire silver- and goldsmith creations of the 18th century, priestly robes and Baroque masterpieces such as religious banner paintings. The collection comprises about 100 exhibits, and as the name of the museum reveals, among them some real treasures. There is e.g. a 136 cm long monstrance weighing 13 kg of gilded silver, an ancient crib as well as pells from Avignon of the 14th century.

The exhibition is divided into four rooms on a surface of 220 sqm. In the 1st exhibition room, the Cathedral Treasury informs visitors about the history of the parish and its Cathedral, as Bolzano used to be a flourishing and internationally known trade town. In the 2nd hall you can learn more about the culture of processions and the worship of miraculous images, moreover there is a notable collection of relics. In the 3rd room you can see pieces of art of silver- and goldsmiths, inter alia by masters of Augsburg, whereas the last exhibition room is dedicated to the raising of the parish to a priory in the 18th century. The style of the museum is rather minimalist in order to creating a sharp contrast to the lush Baroque exhibits.

The Bolzano Cathedral itself, the first Gothic hall church, rises right next to it. A visit to the church with its artworks completes a museum visit in the best way. And how to reach the Bolzano Cathedral Treasury? It is situated right next to the Assumption of Our Lady Cathedral and the Piazza Walther square, where a bus stop and a parking garage (subject to charge) can be found.