A museum to explore before entering the castle
The museum is located along the road that leads to the Castle. It can certainly be used as a quiet stop, away from the large influx of tourists that enliven the village on holidays. The civic museum is housed in the former convent of Santa Maria Novella, founded by some Augustinian friars in the 15th century, and which was restored between 1998 and 2003. The exhibition is divided into various floors, which overlook the courtyard embellished by the presence of a well built in the mid-16th century.
The exhibition inside the museum is animated largely by finds from private collections. The objects presented narrate the past of the city of Bracciano, starting from the first Etruscan settlements up to the 19th century, and are grouped into three sections: introductory, archaeological and historical-artistic. The first contains maps and documents that tell the story of the community, as well as the various ancient practices used by the city councilors. The archaeological section, on the other hand, includes part of the Panunzi collection, with objects dating back to various periods, including Etruscan and early Christian, and are ordered according to chronological criteria. The historical-artistic section, including works of various nature, is divided into themes, such as "The patronage and the artists", within which you can admire the masterpiece by Cristoforo Stati (1556-1619). Another room is dedicated to "Testimonies of sacred art" and includes liturgical funishings, coming from the nearby church of Santa Maria Novella, part of the convent. Of particular note is the work attributed to the circle of Andrea Bregno, Cristo Salvator Mundi, dated to the end of the 15th century.
