Museum of Ancient Stained Glass

he "Bernardini-Fatti" Museum of Ancient Stained Glass is housed in the church of San Giovanni Battista in Sansepolcro, one of the oldest in the city. The church, the earliest records of which date back to 1126, is now bare and devoid of altars, but has traces of frescoes on its walls dating back to the 14th century. It was for this church that Piero della Francesca painted the famous Baptism of Christ now at the National Gallery in London, while Matteo di Giovanni's panels (which completed it) can be seen at the Museo Civico in Sansepolcro. It is the first Italian example of a museum dedicated to the art of stained glass. Here you will find many works by artists who were active in the late 1800s and early 1900s and specialized in the art of stained glass. In addition to this there are a series of color plates, sketches, texts and 40 engravings depicting the Chantilly Stained Glass windows based on drawings by Raphael. Of particular interest is the Crucifixion from Gildestone's Morris Chapel, a masterpiece of English Pre-Raphaelite art, likely executed to a design by William Morris. Also of note are works and fragments from the Milanese firm Corvaja e Bazzi, which specialized in the émail-tubé technique. Definitely, the Museum of Ancient Stained Glass is one of the most interesting things/attractions to see in Sansepolcro and I recommend you don't miss it at all!