The Public Museum of Bracciano is housed inside the ex-convent of Saint Maria Novella, founded in the XV century by Augustinian monks. The building, renovated between 1998 and 2003, also holds the Town Historical Archives.

The objects and works of art exhibited illustrate the life of Bracciano over the centuries from the first Etruscan settlement to the XIX century and are set out in three sections: introductory, archaeological and historical-artistic. The first section introduces the visitor to the museum and the Community of Bracciano, meant as the institution from which the Town Council has its origin.

There are maps and objects relating to the institutional life of Bracciano; the objects used in the past by the town counsellors are of particular interest. In the archaeological section there is a temporary exhibition of part of the Panunzi collection, which includes objects unearthed in digs in the territory of Bracciano dating from the Etruscan period to the Palaeo-christian period; the exhibition follows is laid out in chronological order.

The historical artistic section, divided into different themes, contains various works: the theme room “La committenza e gli artisti” (patrons and the artists) contains works that were made for the most illustrious local public and private patrons by artists called to work in Bracciano or coming from the area around Bracciano itself.

In the centre of the room, there is the beautiful sculptural group by Cristoforo Stati (1556-1619), an artist from Bracciano. In the theme room “Testimonianze d’arte sacra” (Testimonies of sacred art) there are objects, furniture and liturgical paraments from the local church of Saint Maria Novella, which belonged to the convent. Of particular importance is the Cristo Salvator Mundi, attributed to the entourage of Andrea Bregno, dated to the end of the XV century.
 

Galleria fotografica