What to do and see in Province of Frosinone, Lazio: The Best Specialty Museums

Founded by St. Benedict in 529, this abbey has suffered devastation many times but has been magically recreated.

The Crypt and the Museum of Anagni Cathedral: a backward journey through time to discover all the treasures that this important episcopal location holds. The Library is the first area to be visited and it is composed of a rich collection of 1814 volumes belonging to the period between the 15th century and the 20th century. The incunables (the first typography products) are truly valuable. They hailed from the origins to the 15th century, and for this reason they are called “quattrocentine” (that means belonging to the years between 1401 and 1499). There are approximately 450,000 incunables in the world, and at least 110,000 of them are preserved in Italy. Some of those are preserved in this library. The volumes concern various subjects: they are texts of local history, some Latin classics, and even an important copy of the Codex Justinianus of 1518. The location called ‘Chapter Hall’ takes the name from the Chapter, that is the gathering of the canons assigned to a church. The vault is adorned by some frescoes. The walnut and mahogany furniture shows an empire style, it dates back to 19th century. The three rooms of the Sacristies hold precious golden and silver objects. In particular, the XVI century busts of the two patrons of Anagni: St. Peter from Salerno and St. Magnus from Trani. The collection of the Treasure begins with Boniface VIII, but the first donations date back to the ninth century. The most valuable objects that are preserved are liturgical vestments and the famous casket of Thomas Becket, authentic fine work of Limoges from the second quarter of the XIII century, as well as miters and bags among the oldest in Europe. From the Treasure room one can enter the Medieval Chapel of the Savior. The Chapel holds peculiar pictorial decorations and wooden works of particular beauty. The Cathedral, built at the behest of Saint Peter of Salerno, was completed in 1104 and dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary (St. Maria Annunziata). The indoor space is divided into three naves. Interventions made during the XIII century have introduced Gothic architectural elements in the presbytery. Belonging to the above-mentioned century there are the remarkable Cosmatesque flooring, the Episcopal Chair, the Easter Candelabra and finally the wall paintings that represent the Virgin with her Child and St. Peter’s head (this one, on the left pillar near the presbytery). The decorations in the apses go back to the XIX century. On the left wall of the Cathedral one can see the Lauri Chapel (XII century), the Baptistery and the Caetani Chapel (XIII century) holding an interesting Gothic funeral monument. On the right aisle there is the Raoli Chapel (XIX century). Below the flooring of the Cathedral there are two Crypts. The Oratory, dedicated to St. Thomas Becket, the English archbishop murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170, retains the antique structure of a mithraeum. Built in the early centuries of the Christian era, it still has the original sacrificial altar. The walls show an interesting series of paintings of uncertain date, although certainly consecutive to the canonization of the Saint (1173). The series contains scenes taken from the Old and New Testament, Theories of saints and apostles, the Last Judgment and interesting episodes related to St. Thomas Becket, including his martyrdom. St. Magnus’ Crypt, built together with the Cathedral, holds an extraordinary series of paintings of 540 Square meters realized by three artists’ workshops among the most skilled of the time. The date is between the XII century and the first half of the XIII century. The series tells the story of man’s salvation through reference to various topics: the creation of the universe and the human being based on philosophical and scientific theories, the Tale of the Ark of the Covenant, Stories of saints and the Apocalypse of John of Patmos. The altars preserve the relics of Saints and Martyrs, among which the most important are St. Magnus (patron saint of Anagni), St. Secondina (born in Anagni) and Peter the bishop. In the Lapidary, the ancient cloister, there are Roman, Early Christian, Medieval and Modern headstones. It is important to underline the presence of the liturgical furniture in the Carolingian Cathedral of the IX century, of precious plates decorated with Cosmatesque mosaics dating the XIII century and of the stunning archaeological section that hosts objects of rare beauty. TICKETS FULL PRICE TICKETS 9,00 euros REDUCED PRICE TICKETS 6,00 euros for groups of at least 15 people; for people resident in Anagni (visitors will be asked to show their ID card); for EU university students regularly registered in the faculties of Humanities, Architecture and Conservation of Cultural Heritage (students will be asked a document certifying the current year registration. SPECIAL REDUCED PRICE TICKETS 3,00 euro groups of students coming from secondary schools; young people aged 11 to 18; disabled people assistants (with attested impairment, equal or superior to 74%). FREE TICKET for disabled people (with attested impairment, equal or superior to 74%); for groups of students coming from primary school; for kids up to 10 years old. There are no further complimentary tickets or reductions. INFORMATION Entrance is available until 45 minutes before the closing hour. During the Mass tours are suspended.

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The Archaeological Museum of Atina and Valle di Comino, founded in 1978, is now housed in the elegant Palazzo Visocchi, in the centre of the ancient town. The museum displays, in chronological order, precious finds from the valley, dating back to the Volscian and Roman periods. The entrance gallery houses the epigraphic section, as well as an interesting collection of Roman and medieval coins.