The Civic Museum of Bracciano preserves centuries of history and culture of the territory. Located in the heart of the historic center, just a few minutes’ walk from our hotel, it offers a fascinating journey through archaeological finds, medieval testimonies, and works of art that tell the story of the local community’s evolution. The exhibited pieces cover a time span from the Etruscan age to the 20th century and come from the territory of Bracciano or Caere (Cerveteri), a reference center for Etruscan settlements in this area. The museum is also distinguished by its lively program of cultural events, conferences, and educational activities.
The building
The museum is housed within the former Augustinian convent of Santa Maria Novella. The building, dating back to the 15th century, was completely restored between 1998 and 2003. The exhibition spaces were designed to enhance both the collections and the architecture of the complex, creating a harmonious dialogue between container and content. The only surviving testimony of the original construction is the splendid octagonal well located in the center of the cloister, on one side of which a coat of arms is visible, commemorating the wedding celebrated in 1556 between Paolo Giordano I Orsini, lord of the place, and Isabella de’ Medici, beloved daughter of the Duke of Florence, Cosimo I. In addition to the Civic Museum, the complex also houses the Municipal Historical Archive.
The exhibition route
The exhibition route is organized into 5 rooms, arranged by themes. Each room is equipped with panels and information cards (in both Italian and English) with insights on topics related to the collections.
The first room of the museum is dedicated to the history of Bracciano, its community, and the birth of the Municipality. On display are a series of municipal coats of arms (dating from the 16th to the 20th century), a letter of congratulations sent by the Doge of Venice to the Duke of Bracciano, historical maps of the territory, documents relating to ancient industrial activities, and works of art linked to the institutional life of the city and some local personalities.
The second room documents the Etruscan presence in the territory through artifacts that illustrate daily life: objects for body care and clothing, amphoras, small plates, and buccheri (characteristic ceramics with the typical black color obtained through a particular firing process). The most significant piece is a small plate of the Genucilia type (dating to the second half of the 4th century BC), on whose edge a complete Latin alphabet is inscribed, considered one of the oldest model alphabets of the Latin language.
The next room is dedicated to the Roman and early Christian age. It brings together artifacts mostly from the archaeological area of Vicarello and from the ancient Roman town of Forum Clodii, both located in the municipal territory of Bracciano. One of the most important artifacts is the so-called Apollo of Vicarello (dating to the first half of the 2nd century BC). The statue in Pentelic marble depicts a young Apollo, beardless and with a cloak on his shoulders, fastened by a rounded clasp.
The fourth room presents works created for the main local patrons, both public and private, by artists active in Bracciano or native to the town. Among the exhibited pieces of note are: the beautiful sculptural group Venus and Adonis by Cristoforo Stati, dating to the early years of the 17th century and counted among the masterpieces of Lazio Mannerism; and an Annunciation in glazed terracotta, a 19th-century copy of the one created by Andrea della Robbia around 1490 and placed in the Spedale degli Innocenti in Florence.
The last room displays testimonies of sacred art from the nearby Church of Santa Maria Novella. Among these stand out: the mannequin of the Madonna, which was carried in procession on August 15th, the feast of the Assumption; and a silver censer created by Francesco Ossani in the first half of the 19th century.
Useful information
Admission to the museum is free. The visit route is enriched by multimedia supports that provide information on the collections, the history of Bracciano, and the restorations, audio points with headphones that describe the exhibited works, and a games section for a playful approach to art. The museum also offers a rich educational and cultural program aimed at visitors of all ages, which includes guided tours and educational activities.
Discover Bracciano by staying in the heart of its historic center
After visiting the Civic Museum of Bracciano, relax at the Albergo della Posta, just a few minutes away on foot. Comfortable rooms, authentic hospitality, and the ideal location to experience Bracciano at a leisurely pace.
Photo © Massimo Tomasini
