Catania, the exhibition on the artistic heritage of religious orders opens at the Diocesan Museum: until 28 July

Immense altarpieces, panel paintings from the Antonelli school rarely exhibited to the public, illuminated manuscripts and ancient volumes but also busts, historical uniforms, furnishings and sacred vestments.

These are the works of art that will be exhibited from today, Saturday 20 April, to 28 July at the Diocesan Museum of Catania in the exhibition “From monasteries and convents”, dedicated to the artistic heritage coming from places of worship in the Etna area and merged between state assets following the unification of Italy.

The inauguration will be held this afternoon at 4pm, while the opening to the public with free admission is scheduled for 5.30pm.

On display are property treasures from Catania sites belonging to the Fund for religious buildings, established by the Ministry of the Interior which authorized the exhibition. A story which, although limited to the area that ranges from the municipalities of Etna to those of Caltagirone, Militello and Mineo, investigates and showcases, according to a historical-scientific criterion, goods and works of art attributable to the main monastic orders widespread in Sicily: Basilians, Benedictines, Carmelites, Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustinians, Mercedarians, Paolotti and Camillians.

“From monasteries and convents” is a project of the superintendence for cultural and environmental heritage of Catania financed by the regional department of cultural heritage and Sicilian identity. The exhibition is organized by the superintendency together with the Prefecture of Catania and in collaboration with the Archdiocese, the Diocesan Museum and the Fund for religious buildings, into which all the assets previously belonging to the religious were brought together.

The exhibition can be visited from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 1pm and on Tuesdays and Thursdays also from 3pm to 6pm. It is also open from 10am to 1pm on the Sundays and holidays indicated below: Sunday 21st and 25th April, Sunday 3rd May, Sunday 2 June and Sunday 7 July.