Monumental Complex of San Francesco - Civic Museum of Cuneo

The Civic Museum of Cuneo was founded by Professor Euclide Milano in the 1930s.

The Museum is housed in the Monumental Complex of St. Francesco.

The Complex includes the former monastery and the adjoining church.

The former monastery houses the Museum.

The adjoining church is listed as a national monument, being a rare example of medieval architecture in town.

Franciscan friars likely settled in this complex as early as the 13th century. 

From the 15th century, the place became a landmark for the entire Cuneo community.

The museum houses:

• an archaeology section;
• a collection of sacred art;
• a collection of ex-votos;
• an ethnographic section;
• natural science collections: mineralogy, entomology, ornithology, botany.

The natural history collections are not currently on public display, as they are stored in repositories.
However, they may be examined by scholars, students and teachers upon written request. 

They include:

• Mineral Collection
  It was implemented by a number of donations from benefactors, including Giorgio Bogni, who provided around 600 specimens from Europe, Asia, Africa and America.
• Entomology collection
  It dates back to the foundation of the first museum by Euclid Milano.
  It has been receiving several donations.
  It is organised in accordance with historical/classical criteria.
• Ornithology Collection
  It was donated by Baron Savio of Bernstiel.
  It consists of about 200 rare specimens of both territorial and extraterritorial origin.
  It is organised according to historical/classical criteria.
• Costabello Herbarium
  Collection of approximately 1,600 plant species of territorial and extraterritorial origin.
  It is organised according to historical/classical criteria.

The Museum houses a specialist library plus graphic and photographic archives.

The library is up-to-date on cultural heritage topics.

The archive holds both the Vacchetta and Scoffone collections.

Library and archives can be visited by appointment.

The Museum provides:

• guided tours;
• educational workshops for schools;
• special events: European Heritage Days, Museum Night, FAI Days;
• annual publication of the journal Quaderni del Museo Civico di Cuneo.

The museum has steadily joined the Abbonamento Musei Torino Piemonte circuit.