Museum of Sacred Art and Furnishings

The Church of St. Peter the Apostle, already existing in 716 and dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, houses some works of great artistic value. Among them is the painting “La Madonna con bambino e santi” (Our Lady with Child and Saints) by the school of Perugino.

The real treasures, however, are hidden from the visitor’s eyes. From the left side of the High Altar you enter the Museo di Arte Sacra (Museum of Sacred Art), an exhibition space where you can admire the collection of works that belonged to the Paponi, a dynasty of parish priests. It was Don Tito Paponi, the last of his lineage, who set up the museum with works from the same church and others from the village.

Among the most notable works of art is the 16th-century chestnut and fir wardrobe, containing the reliquary of Saint Barbara, patron saint of Montecatini Terme as well as protector of the Navy, Fire Brigade, Corps of Engineers, and Artillery (in the courtyard adjacent to the preposition, the monument to Saint Barbara can be admired, consisting of objects representing the trades protected by the saint). Also on display in the museum is the “Triumph of Christ”. Attributed to the school of Orcagna, it is a 7-metre fresco that was recently restored.