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Santa Giulia Museum

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Museums

Art and documents relating to the Saint's life

The Santa Giulia Museum of Sacred Art is located in Livorno, the city of which the martyr is the patron saint. The exhibition is curated by a centuries-old confraternity founded in the 13th century to carry out the Julian cult. The exhibit includes liturgical vestments, sacred furnishings and historical documents in three rooms adjacent to the Santa Giulia Church.

In the Sala Magistrale, seven panels explore the bond between Livorno and the Saint. The remains of the Saint appear to have arrived at what was once called Porto Pisano in Livorno. The papers displayed in the room explain the activities of the confraternity and trace the widespread presence of places of worship dedicated to Santa Giulia in Livorno. There are also flags, banners and a canopy belonging to the Archconfraternity.

The greatest number of precious objects are preserved in the sala degli Arredi. First and foremost, there is a large wooden tempera from the 15th century depicting Santa Giulia in her heavenly dress, recognizable by the symbols of martyrdom. To complete the work, there are eight panels on the sides of the painting in which episodes from the Saint's life are represented. Among the furnishings and liturgical vestments featured in the museum, there are chasubles, stoles, crucifixes, chalices, candlesticks and reliquaries. There is also a noteworthy kneeler lined with red velvet upon which the popes Pius IX and John Paul II prostrated.

Finally, ex votos are kept in the Sacristy along with other liturgical vestments and a rich late 17th century velvet altar frontal made by the goldsmith Antonio Leonardi.