The Church of St. Peter the Apostle has very ancient origins: already existing in 716, it was initially named after St. Michael the Archangel.
Inside it holds works of great artistic value, including the painting “Madonna with Child and Saints” by the school of Perugino.
The Museum: a hidden treasure
The true riches of the church, however, are hidden from the eyes of the ordinary visitor. In fact, the left side of the High Altar leads to the Museum of Sacred Art, a unique exhibition space.
The Paponi Collection
The museum displays the valuable collection of works that belonged to the Paponi family, a dynasty of parish priests that marked the religious history of the area. It was Don Tito Paponi, the last descendant of the lineage, who set up the museum by collecting works from the church itself and other sacred places in the town.
The reliquary of Saint Barbara
Among the most significant pieces in the collection is a 16th-century chestnut and fir cabinet that holds the reliquary of St. Barbara, patron saint of Montecatini Terme. The saint is also the patron saint of the Navy, the Fire Brigade, the Corps of Engineers and the Artillery.
The “Triumph of Christ”
The museum also houses the monumental fresco “Triumph of Christ,” attributed to the school of Orcagna. This 7-meter work recently underwent a major restoration that restored its original splendor.
