A New Statute and New Governance for the Tridentine Diocesan Museum

The Tridentine Diocesan Museum is undergoing a phase of significant institutional renewal. With the approval of the new Statute, the Museum has been transformed into a Foundation under ecclesiastical law, obtaining recognition as a legal entity from the Italian Ministry of the Interior in July 2025.

The statutory reform, promoted by the Archdiocese, has introduced major innovations in governance. The role of President has been established and entrusted to Prof. Michele Andreaus, who led the Museum as Director during the 2021–2024 term, guiding it through a period of growth and consolidation. Alongside him now operates a renewed Curatorium, enriched by the presence of experts from the academic and cultural spheres, such as art historian Mattia Vinco (University of Trento) and archaeologist Franco Marzatico, recently retired after a long career as Superintendent for Cultural Heritage.

Among the most significant innovations is the establishment of a Scientific Committee, tasked with providing non-binding technical and scholarly opinions. The committee is composed of three members appointed by different bodies: Dr. Carlo Andrea Postinger (episcopal appointment), Dr. Alessandra Galizzi Kroegel (university appointment), and Architect Luca Gabrielli (appointed by the Curatorium).

The new Statute also provides for the appointment of a new Director, a role that as of 2025 has been entrusted to Dr. Domizio Cattoi, formerly Deputy Director of the Museum. He will lead the Museum through its upcoming challenges, including the completion of the Porta Veronensis enhancement project, in collaboration with the Municipality of Trento and the Superintendency for Cultural Heritage; the renewal of visitor reception areas; and the forthcoming exhibition programme. Highlights include “Poveri diavoli. The Peasant Revolts of 1525” (October 2025) and the first monographic exhibition devoted to Nicolò Dorigati (autumn 2026).

Through these decisions, the Tridentine Diocesan Museum has profoundly renewed its organizational structure and opened itself to a new cultural season, strengthening dialogue with the local community and the scholarly world.

The Museum extends its thanks to the Archdiocese, the Autonomous Province of Trento, the Diocesan Archives and the Vigilianum Diocesan Library, its partner institutions, and all collaborators who have made this path of renewal and growth possible.