THE MUSEO DELL

The building that houses the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo stands on the southwest corner of the grassy and solitary Piazza dei Miracoli. The view from the upper loggia extending around the ancient cloister is truly spectacular. It creates a wonderful visual and emotional link with the artworks housed here and the monuments from which they originated.
The building, originally erected as the residence for the cathedral's canons (who lived there from about 1100 to early XVII century) was later used for different purposes. Its current configuration dates from the early seventeenth century when it was completely remodelled to house the Seminario Arcivescovile.

Later it passed to private ownership, then in 1784 it became the headquarters of the academy of fine arts, and home of Giovanni Rosini, great man of letters. In 1887 it was taken over by the Cappuccine Sisters and became a cloistered convent.
Finally, in 1979, it was purchased by the Opera della Primaziale in order to create a true Museo dell'Opera. It was opened in 1986, and through its treasures and artworks, it tells visitors the long and complex story of the Primaziale Pisana and its famous monuments together with the city's cultural and artistic history.
The oldest and most famous nucleus of the museum's collections are located on the ground floor and in the portico. These are sculptures from the XII to XVII century, including the masterpieces by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, Tino da Camaino and Nino Pisano. The TESORO del DUOMO, or Cathedral Treasure, is in a separate room and in the adjacent chapel. It comprises liturgical items and precious objects from the Medieval cathedral including Giovanni Pisano's ivory Madonna and silvesware dating from the XVI to XIX centuries. The rest of the Museum is arranged more or less in chronological and systematic order: on the firts floor there are sculptures dating from the XVI to the XIX centuries, wooden intarsias from the Renaissance, illuminated Medieval choir-books, sacred paraments, liturgical garmentsand cloths, a collection of Egyptian, Etruscan and Roman objects and finally a graphic section with famous XIX century engravings by Carlo Lasinio, firts curator of the Camposanto Monumentale (the monumental Cemetery).

The relationships between Pisa, the maritime city and the Orient, land of the heathens was always difficult, strife ridden, and yet there was always secret admiration which can be symbolized in the Islamic items that are believed to have been captured as war booty. The echo of the great voyages to the East, of relations with a distant, alien world, the memory of fierce battles and long military expeditions, but al so perhaps of peaceful trade are clearly heard in these items that are displayed not only as victory trophies but also as special souvenirs. They are a lasting remembrance of important and valuable contacts with a culturally rich civilization.
It is in this light that the two Islamic pieces should be viewed and studied, they are the cast "bronze basin" and "Fatimid griffon".
The griffon is a monumental statue dating from the XII century, and up until the late XIX century it stood atop the typanum of the cathedral's apse, that is the most important and visually striking position for those who came to the heart of the city. Little is known about this superb piece
And it matters less if it was taken as booty during the crusades, during

the Balearic expedition or if it was the gift of some Arabian prince. One thing is sure, its powerful shape is typical of Iranian Islamic art.
The other famous piece is the metal basin with the fine engraved decorations. There are incriptions along the edge and zoomorphic figures in medallions. In too is very old and perhaps dates from Seljuk dynasty (XII century); it is exceptionally crafted and is the focus of great attention for scholars in this field.