The Tridentine Diocesan Museum gets a makeover: conservation, innovation and accessibility for a better visitor experience.

The Tridentine Diocesan Museum has completed an ambitious renovation project involving significant enhancements to the museum's technological systems, the layout of the works of art and the visitor route. These improvements were made with the aim of offering visitors a more engaging, accessible and meaningful cultural experience.

From September 2023 until March 2024, the Museum carried out complex and exceptional maintenance work on its building, the Palazzo Pretorio. The aim was to improve the internal microclimate and guarantee its stabilisation, thus meeting the conservation needs of the works, especially the delicate wooden panels. To this end, the layout of the first floor was significantly revised, and that of the second floor partially modified. The decision was taken to structure the itinerary by thematic nuclei, organised in chronological and typological order. The route begins with a substantial section dedicated to the Council of Trent, a pivotal event in the city's history. It then progresses to the wooden panels and, on the second floor, the paintings. This subdivision allows for a more effective thematic organisation and enables visitors to follow a clearer and more coherent narrative.

In addition to the maintenance and fitting-out work, the Museum placed significant emphasis on technological innovation and accessibility of the exhibition route. The museum's didactic apparatus was revised and a project was developed to insert audio tours at 16 points of interest in the museum, accessible directly from visitors' personal devices in three languages (Italian, English, German). To guarantee an inclusive experience for all visitors, six routes have been made accessible for those who are deaf or hard of hearing by adding LIS (Italian Sign Language) and ISL (International Sign Language) languages.
One of the narrations, divided into three stages, provides a balanced and historically accurate account of the tragic story of Simonino da Trento, an emblematic example of the Museum's commitment to illuminate even the darkest pages of our past without sensationalism, with sensitivity and respect.

In line with our commitment to ensuring an accessible experience for all, the Museum has developed a virtual reality project for the Civic Tower. A 360-degree film is available for viewing through visors positioned at the entrance of the Museum. This film is accessible for individuals with motor difficulties, heart problems or who are under 14 years of age, who are able to virtually 'visit' the Tower up to the top, admiring the city of Trento from above. The 8-minute film is available in Italian, English and German.

Furthermore, we are pleased to announce the creation of a new map of the museum, available in Italian, English and German. This map offers visitors a comprehensive overview of the museum's facilities and provides guidance on two suggested tours through the building's three floors. These toursinclude the classic tour and the audio tour, which are designed to enhance visitor experience by allowing them to plan and customise their own itinerary. The map has been designed to be accessible and understandable for all audiences, and provides information on entrances, exits, services and security measures, both in the museum and in the Early Christian Basilica and Civic Tower.

The renovation project of the Tridentine Diocesan Museum marks a significant step towards a more modern and inclusive use of the artistic heritage. The Museum's ongoing modernisation and accessibility is made possible by a series of strategic enhancements which fuse traditional values with contemporary approaches, ensuring the continued sharing of Trento's rich heritage with an increasingly diverse and broad audience.