Museo Diocesano

The Museo Diocesano in Parma opened in March 2003 on the lower level of the restored Bishop's Palace. The exhibition presents archaeological finds and works of art from the cathedral, the baptistery, and the surrounding diocese. The tour follows the history of religious cults from the Roman to the medieval era. You can see Roman mosaics, sarcophagus fragments, and an inscription that documents the cultural syncretism of early Christianity. Particularly valuable are six sculptures by Benedetto Antelami that originally adorned the northern part of the baptistery, as well as four stylophore lions from a pulpit in the cathedral. Other exhibits include a gilded copper angel, a Belgian tapestry depicting the Ascension of Christ that once belonged to the Farnese family, and portraits of the bishops of Parma. During the restoration work, the foundations of a medieval building and a section of the Roman city wall also came to light. An interactive station lets you explore the virtual baptistery in high resolution.