Diocesan Museum of Nicosia

A museum that preserves a story

The Diocesan Museum collects and preserves the movable sacred heritage of the Diocese of Nicosia: works of art, liturgical vestments, sacred goldwork, codices and archive documents testifying to five centuries of religious life in the territory.

It is housed in the former Benedictine monastery with the adjoining monumental church of San Biagio — a medieval complex predating 1433 — at Via San Biagio 2, a few steps from the Cathedral. The museum layout occupies several rooms on the noble floor and tells the relationship between the Diocese and the parishes of the territory.

Sections of the collection

Liturgical vestments

A section devoted to the sacred vestments of the bishops and canons of the Cathedral: copes, mitres, dalmatics, stoles, from the 17th to the 20th century. Fine fabrics, silk and gold embroidery, some made by Sicilian master embroiderers.

Sacred goldwork

Chalices, monstrances, reliquaries, processional crosses in silver and gold from the territory’s churches. Some pieces are by 17th-century Palermitan workshops, others by Nicosian silver schools — still being studied for correct attribution.

Paintings

A collection of altarpieces and devotional canvases from demolished or restored churches. Works from the 16th to the 19th century, including pieces attributed to regional schools (Palermo, Catania, Messina).

Codices and archive

A documentary section with illuminated liturgical codices, papal bulls, historic parish registers. Material of particular interest for scholars and researchers, consultable by appointment.

Visiting

• Opening: Wednesday 9:00-13:00 and 15:00-19:00; Saturday 15:30-20:00; Sunday 9:30-13:00.
• Mode: one-hour guided visit, led by diocesan staff or by an art historian.
• Cost: free entry, donations welcome for maintenance.
• Group bookings: write to museodiocesano@diocesinicosia.it (tel. +39 0935 646040) or contact the Municipality’s Tourism Office which acts as a go-between.

A note on stewardship

The Diocesan Museum is run with limited resources and depends largely on volunteers and donations. A visit is also a way of supporting the conservation work the Diocese has been carrying out for years on the sacred heritage of the territory.

Nearby

A visit to the Diocesan Museum naturally combines with the Cathedral of San Nicolò (page) — the two buildings are physically connected and together tell the religious heart of the town.