The highly successful architectural marriage of the town's 12th- to 15th-century buildings with the cast-iron-and-glass modernity of this new museum is almost more interesting than the collections themselves (though if the long-term plans to move the tomb of Ilaria del Carretto here from inside the Duomo are carried out, it'll be well worth the admission).

The first floor contains a bit of Matteo Civitali's late-15th-century choir screen, removed from the Duomo in 1987 despite vehement local protest.

The second floor starts with 16th-century paintings and a pair of too-realistic wooden carvings of St. John the Baptist's head on a plate.

Past an early-17th-century Francesco Vanni Crucifixion and a stretch of priestly vestments is a room with sculptures from the Duomo's facade, such as Jacopo della Quercia's huge early-15th-century St. John the Evangelist.

At the end of the route are the jewelry and baubles the Volto Santo wears on the days he's specially venerated.

Open Hours

Mid-Mar-Oct daily 10am-6pm; Nov-mid-Mar Mon-Fri 10am-3pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm

Prices

Admission 3.50€ ($4.55) adults, 2€ ($2.60) children 6-12. Cumulative ticket for Ilaria tomb, Museo, and San Giovanni 5.50€ ($7.15) adults, 3€ ($3.90) children 6-12