The Leonardi Museum

The Leonardi Museum is located in the former Bishop’s Palace, an imposing building next to the Cathedral, which originated in the 9th century as the Benedictine monastery of San Cristoforo del Ponte di Castel delle Ripe. It was expanded by various abbots and commendatory until 1627 and in 1636, the palace became a bishopric, thanks to the last commendatory, Francesco Barberini, who obtained the title of episcopal seat for Castel Durante from Pope Urban VIII, renaming it Urbania in his honour.
Since 1987 it has been the seat of the Archdiocesan Cultural and Social Institute “Corrado Leonardi” which opened the Museum, Library and Archive.
The Museum hosts sections of archaeology, silverware, sacred furnishings, art gallery and ceramics from Castel delle Ripe, Casteldurante and Urbania. The ceramics section shows the local techniques and styles from the 14th to the 20th century, with vases, decorative plates, jugs, basins, architectural artefacts, amphorae, holy water fonts and other works of art.
Among the most important artists to mention: Ghiberti, Alberti, Raffaellin del Colle and Picchi for the art of painting, Orazio Fontana, Guido Durantino, Rombaldoni and Doix for the art of ceramics.