THE ABBEY OF MONTECASSINO
The Museum


Photo no. 1
When leaving the Basilica we see on the right the entrance to the Museum (photo no. 1) which is of considerable importance for the artistic history of Montecassino.
In the arcade, mediaeval capitals of the 8th and 9th centuries and remains of columns from Roman Casinum villas.

Upon entering the Museum we can see some panels illustrating the evolution of Beneventan script which is typical for Montecassino, starting from epigraphs up to documents. A photo-tresparency shows in full scale the famous Cassinese placito (photo no.2) dated 960 A.D. (the original of which is well protected because of its old age), containing the first period in vulgar italian "Sao ko kelle terre per kelle fini que ki contene, trenta anni le possette parte Sancti Benedicti".

The Museum was organized in 1980 on the occasion of the Celebration of the 15th Centennial of St. Benedict's birth, with the determinant support and contribution of the Lazio Region - Councillorship for Culture.


Photo no. 2
The visit is one-way and the various sections are progressively indicated by the letters of the alphabet.
Now you can go direct to the hall you like by selecting it in the table below. We suggest to begin with Hall A and to continue the visit with the halls indicated.

Index of Museum's Halls

Hall A: Relics of Roman Art Hall B: Etruscan and Roman finds
Hall C: Small room with wooden statues Hall D: Hall of the manuscripts
Hall E: Hantem or Choir-Book room Hall F: Corridor with drawings and prints
Hall G: Remains of the Basilica Hall H: Hellenic, Etruscan and Italic Vases
Hall I: Benedictine sculptures and paintings Hall L: Room of the sketches
Hall M: Iconographic Hall of St. Benedict Hall N: Room of the embroideries
Hall O: Treasury Hall Hall P: Lacework Room
Hall Q: Exit stairway Hall R: The small St. Anna cloister