The Tridentine Diocesan Museum is located in Piazza Duomo, one of Italy's most scenic squares, which has always been the scene of Trento's civic and religious life. The beating heart of the city, the square is bordered by the cathedral of San Vigilio, in whose subsoil the remains of the ancient early Christian basilica were found. The museum, founded in 1903, is housed in the Castelletto and Palazzo Pretorio: the architectural complex, erected in continuity with the city cathedral, was the former residence of the prince-bishops of Trento. In its halls it displays a rich heritage of art and culture ranging from the 11th to the 19th century: paintings, wooden sculptures, doorway altars, rich vestments, illuminated manuscripts, iconographic evidence of the Council of Trento, precious goldsmithing, ancient embroidery and sumptuous Flemish tapestries are exhibited according to the most up-to-date museological criteria and accompanied by in-depth information and multimedia stations.
Underground, the Porta Veronensis (1st century A.D.), an ancient monumental entrance to Roman Tridentum, has been unearthed, on the remains of which was erected the Torre di Piazza or Civic Tower, which at 45 meters high is the unmistakable symbol of the city.