Scolca Museum: Sacred Treasures in the Heart of Covignano
On the Covignano hill, next to the Church of San Fortunato, lies the Scolca Museum, a small jewel preserving important traces of Rimini’s religious and artistic heritage. The museum is located inside evocative tuff caves beneath the parish house, offering a truly unique atmosphere.
Origins and Location
The museum is set within the former Olivetan abbey of Santa Maria Annunziata Nuova di Scolca, founded in 1418 by Carlo Malatesta and entrusted to Olivetan monks. After the Napoleonic suppression of 1797, the abbey became the parish of San Fortunato, but much of its sacred heritage was preserved.
Restoration and Exhibition Rooms
The museum was restored over more than ten years, under the direction of Don Renzo Rossi and with historical research led by Andrea Donati. It includes four rooms carved into the rock, each focused on a specific century or theme:
15th-century Room: with the original bell from 1400 and monastic tools
17th-century Room: liturgical silverware and devotional objects
18th-century Room: sacred vestments and religious textiles
Popular Devotion Room: with ex-votos and images of domestic worship
Among its most significant pieces is an illuminated page from a 15th-century choir book, the only surviving folio after Napoleonic plundering.
Opening Hours and Visits
Open on Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. or by appointment. Admission is free.
How to Get There
The museum is located at Via Covignano 257, Rimini. It is accessible by car (up the Covignano hill) or by public transport from Rimini’s train station.
Why Visit
The Scolca Museum offers a rare insight into the local spiritual and artistic tradition in an intimate and atmospheric setting. It’s ideal for those who love history and wish to explore a more reflective, lesser-known side of Rimini.