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Museum · Waterford, Waterford
Medieval Museum e Bishop's Palace
Two neighbouring museums in the Viking Triangle: the Medieval Museum, with 13th-century halls and 15th-century cloth-of-gold vestments, and the Bishop's Palace, a 1743 palace showcasing Georgian Waterford and the city's oldest crystal.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Medieval Museum e Bishop's Palace
The Medieval Museum and the Bishop's Palace, together with Reginald's Tower, make up the Waterford Treasures complex in the Viking Triangle. The Medieval Museum, opened in 2012, was built around two preserved medieval halls: the Chorister's Hall, from the 13th century, and the Mayor's Wine Vault, a 15th-century wine cellar, both beneath the modern stone building.
In the Medieval Museum's collection are the Great Charter Roll, a 14th-century roll of documents with portraits of English kings, and the Cloth of Gold Vestments, liturgical garments of gold cloth made in Florence in the 15th century, hidden under the cathedral floor during the religious wars and rediscovered in 1773. There are also swords, seals and objects from medieval Waterford.
The Bishop's Palace next door was built in 1743 by architect Richard Castle as the residence of the Bishop of the Church of Ireland. The rooms display Waterford in the 18th and 19th centuries, with furniture, paintings, silverware and a collection of glass and crystal, including the oldest known piece of Waterford crystal, dating from about 1789.
Between the two museums sits Christ Church Cathedral, of the Church of Ireland, built in 1779 by architect John Roberts, who also designed the city's Catholic cathedral. The museums offer guided tours for part of the year, including walks around the Viking Triangle.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1.5 to 2 hours for both museums.
Best time
Open at any time of year, even in rain. Check guided tour times and opening days.
How to get there
They are on The Mall and Cathedral Square, in the Viking Triangle in central Waterford, a 5-minute walk from Reginald's Tower.
Tip
In the Medieval Museum, go down to the Chorister's Hall and look for the cloth-of-gold vestments. In the Bishop's Palace, the 1789 crystal piece is in the glass room.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Medieval Museum e Bishop's Palace
What are the gold vestments?
Liturgical vestments of gold cloth made in Florence in the 15th century, hidden beneath the cathedral floor and rediscovered in 1773. They are on display in the Medieval Museum.
Are the two museums separate?
They are neighbouring buildings with separate entrances that form part of the Waterford Treasures complex, along with Reginald's Tower.
What can you see in the Bishop's Palace?
Rooms showing 18th- and 19th-century Waterford, with furniture, paintings, silverware and glass, including the oldest known piece of Waterford crystal.