Despite the papacy under Boniface VIII being quite an eventful period, it was evidently not enough to fill a whole museum. The museum dedicated to the good man is therefore called the Museo Bonificiano e del Lazio Meridionale. The seat of the museum is the historic Palazzo di Bonifacio VIII in Anagni.
Boniface Museum Anagni
Address, opening times and ticket price
The address of the Museum of Boniface and Southern Latium is Via Vittorio Emanuele, 238 – 03012 Anagni. Phone: +39 0775727053. Opening hours: From November 1 to March 31, 09:30 to 12:30 and 15:00 to 17:00; from April 1 to October 31, 09:30 to 12:30 and 15:30 to 18:30. Entrance fee: Unknown.
Palazzo Bonifacio VIII
The Palazzo di Bonifacio VIII was built by the Conti family towards the end of the 12th century. It became very important in the 13th century, when the papal court settled there. In 1230 Pope Gregory IX received Emperor Frederick II in the palace, and in 1303 Pope Boniface VIII received the so-called “slap of Anagni” in the adjacent Palazzo Caetani.
History and description
The museum is dedicated to the life of Pope Boniface VIII, who was born in Anagni himself in 1235 and was Pope from 1294 to 1303. The rooms in which the most important events occurred can be viewed. Highlights are the “room of the geese” and “room of the chessboards”, which were frescoed in the 18th century.
In addition to the Pope, the museum is dedicated to Anagni itself. On display are archaeological finds, plus photographs, documents and other materials shedding light on the town history.