Description of the attraction
The Museum of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Aosta preserves in its centuries-old walls priceless works of art by the masters of Val d'Aosta from the 13th-18th centuries. In the historic center of the city, behind the main square, Piazza Emile Chanu, you can see two old bell towers belonging to the Cathedral. Archaeological excavations carried out here in the 20th century made it possible to restore various phases of the construction of the cathedral, the first building of which was erected in the middle of the 4th century. The crypt of the 11th century and the cloister of the 15th century have survived to this day.
The museum, connected to the covered gallery, is of particular interest to visitors to the cathedral due to its invaluable collection. Here you can see an ivory diptych by Anichio Probo depicting Emperor Honorio, fragments of marble monumental tombstones from the 15th century by Stefano Mossettaz for Odger Morizet, Francesco Challan and Tommaso II of Savoy, gold jewelry and other items. It also houses gold Gothic jewelry and products that the Flemish master Jean de Malinet worked on, including an absolute masterpiece - the huge reliquary of San Grato, created by William di Locana and decorated by Malinet, an interesting crystal cross made in the 14th century in the commune Rames, a bust of Saint John the Baptist, exquisitely decorated incense sticks for religious ceremonies and prayer books belonging to various bishops. Noteworthy is a series of ancient Gothic wooden sculptures and crucifixes from the 13-14th centuries. And one of the most valuable exhibits in the museum is an oval agate cameo from the 1st century AD.
