The Best Italian Museums That You've Never Heard Of II

Our last article looked at the museum culture of Italy that is so important for tourism, is a big reason why many people visit the country and is, certainly, something people expect to experience when they visit.

However, the downside is that museums, galleries and cultural attractions can often have long lines and be extremely busy. So, for those who want to take in Italian culture but can't deal with the tourist crowds, we have compiled a list of some amazing museums around the country that have lots to offer without the madness.

The last post discussed Mantua's archaeological museum and a very special exhibition there and the Canova Museum in Possagno and this article will give you some more examples of lesser-known, but special, museums in Italy.

One of the most unique museums in Italy is housed in the Chiesa del Sacro Cuore del Suffragio, a Gothic Revival church built in the 20th century. Hidden at the back of the building is the tiny Piccolo Museo Del Purgatorio, or "Museum of the Holy Souls in Purgatory," which holds a collection gathered from all over the world of bibles, prayer books and clothing said to have been singed by the hands of souls in purgatory. Victor Jouet, the collector for the museum and a French missionary, was supposedly inspired to build this purgatorial museum after a fire destroyed part of the original Chiesa del Sacro Cuore del Suffragio, leaving behind the scorched image of a face, which he believed was that of a trapped soul. Among the items on display are the nightcap of a man who discovered his deceased wife's hand prints on it asking him to pray for her and a book belonging to a woman whose mother-in-law reportedly appeared to her and asked for two masses in her honour. If you feel like visiting this creepy and fascinating little museum for yourself, just find a holiday rental in Rome.

In Milan, you'll find a museum that was opened last year by Armani. The museum and exhibition space in Milan, called Armani Silos, displays around 600 items of clothing and over 200 accessories and is located in the fashionable Tortona area in Milan. A former granary for the Nestlé company, it is comprised of an exhibition space, a café, gift shop and digital archive. According to Mr Armani himself, it would be wrong to call it a museum. To him, that suggests something static and unchanging which does not match his vision for this space. He plans to renew the collections with pieces from new collections every six months and is already considering expanding and buying another space for displaying Armani's Couture and Emporio Armani collections and archives. The building itself is also stunning and, for fashion-lovers, it is one of the must-see museums in Italy. Just find a holiday rental in Milan and pay a visit.

These are just two of the great Italian museums that you have probably never heard of, read our previous article for some more unique and fascinating examples that we have chosen and get planning your next trip to Italy!