The tourist approaching Loreto will be astonished by the wealth of artistic and architectural attractions surrounding the relic of the “Holy House”.
Among them, the “Holy House” Antique Treasure Museum covers an area of 2000 square meters and has 30 exhibition halls containing furniture, paintings, tapestries, artefacts, 16th and 17th-century frescos, it houses a rich and varied religious and artistic heritage.
Among the exhibits there are well known paintings by Lorenzo Lotto, the 17th-century majolica collection. In the halls number 6 and 7 of the noble floor there are ten tapestries made after Raffaello’s cardboards, inspired to bible stories of the New Testament.
Many paintings and other exhibits have a religious theme, they come from the Basilica or were donated to the “Holy House” over the centuries.
All this highlights Loreto’s Sanctuary fame and consideration in Italy as well as all over the world.
The museum is located at the upper floor of the Apostolic Palace’s west wing. The Palace was created by pontifical architect Donato Bramante with the assistance of other renowned architects such as Gian Cristoforo Romano, Andrea Sansovino, Antonio da Sangallo il Giovane, Raniero Nerucci, Galasso Alghisi, Giovanni Boccalini and Luigi Vanvitelli in the 18th century.
Moreover, the Ancient Treasure Museum hosts artistic laboratories for locals as well as prestigious temporary exhibitions.