Diocesan Museum of Turin

The Diocesan Museum of Turin (Italian: Museo Diocesano di Torino) is a religious museum located in Turin, Italy, within the lower church of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the same cathedral that houses the Shroud of Turin. Inaugurated on December 11, 2008 by Cardinal Severino Poletto, then archbishop of the diocese, the museum occupies a site of exceptional archaeological and architectural significance. Its location within one of Italy's most important cathedral complexes, combined with its integration of early Christian archaeological remains, makes it a notable institution for the study of liturgical history, sacred art, and urban archaeology in northern Italy.

The museum was inaugurated on December 11, 2008 by Cardinal Severino Poletto, who was then serving as archbishop of the diocese of Turin. The establishment of the museum followed significant archaeological work, most notably excavations carried out in 1996 that uncovered substantial remains beneath the cathedral site. These excavations revealed the remains of three early Christian churches that had been demolished to make way for the construction of the current cathedral. Since November 2013, the museum has also offered visitors access to a bell tower with a climbable belfry, expanding the visitor experience beyond the museum's core exhibition spaces.

The museum's exhibition is organized thematically around key moments of Christian life and liturgical practice. The initial spaces trace the evolution of liturgy for Christian initiation, specifically baptism and the Eucharist. A central area is devoted to the evolution of the liturgy of the Word, with notable comparisons between pre- and post-Catholic Reformation altars. The exhibition continues through areas dedicated to Marian devotion and the cult of saints. Additional thematic sections address significant historical periods for art, including the Renaissance. The museum also maintains a pinacoteca that presents works organized by type, period, and materials, as well as an archaeological area that illustrates the complex historical stratification of the city.

Among the museum's significant works, the baptism section features the cathedral's first baptismal font from the late 15th century, carved in stone, and a tempera on panel painting by Martino Spanzotti depicting the Baptism of Jesus Christ (1509-1510). The Marian devotion section contains a particular female statue in Greek marble, likely reused from an earlier context and of uncertain date, believed to belong to a Lamentation group. The Renaissance area includes a table centerpiece bearing the coat of arms of Cardinal della Rovere, a treatise on architecture by Leon Battista Alberti, and several tempera on panel paintings: Madonna with Saint Anne (late 15th century), attributed to Antoine de Lonhy; Saint Nicholas of Bari (1508-1510) by Girolamo Giovenone; Genealogy of the Virgin Mary (early 16th century) by Gandolfino da Roreto; and Holy Family with Saint Anne and Saint Catherine of Alexandria (first half of the 16th century) from a Bolognese school. The museum also displays Pietro Augusto Cassina's Deposition, a significant work by this 20th-century painter.

The museum is housed in the lower church of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, a space that replicates the dimensions and plan of the upper cathedral. This lower church was originally intended to serve as the burial place for the House of Savoy and the city's archbishops. The museum's installation was specifically designed to enhance and preserve the historical value of its setting, functioning as what has been described as a 'museum of itself.' This approach required respect for pre-existing architectural and archaeological testimonies. The 1996 archaeological excavations revealed remains of Roman-era buildings, the early Christian basilicas of Santa Maria and San Salvatore, traces of the baptistery of San Giovanni Battista, and a medieval burial ground.

The Diocesan Museum of Turin is located in Turin, Italy, within the lower church of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Visitors can access the museum through its official website at www.museodiocesanotorino.it. Since November 2013, the museum experience has included the opportunity to climb to the belfry of a bell tower. The museum's integration within the cathedral complex that houses the Shroud of Turin places it at a significant pilgrimage and cultural tourism site in northern Italy. The archaeological remains on display, including the three early Christian churches uncovered in 1996, form an integral part of the visitor experience.