The National Archaeological Museum of Naples is the largest collection of archaeological artifacts in southern Italy, dating back to the prehistoric period, and one of the most expensive in the world. The building in which it is located resembles a palace and was built in 1615. Until 1777, there was a university here. Since 1734, after the accession of Charles III, a large-scale cultural policy was implemented, the building was reconstructed and a museum was opened in it. It originally included an art gallery, which was separated from it in 1957 and moved to Capodimonte.
The museum has three main sections. These are: Egyptian, Farnese and Pompeii. The Egyptian department is located in the basement and consists of more than 2,500 artifacts dating from 2686 BC to 395 AD. Many of them were found in Pompeii, Herculaneum and Pozzuoli. In the epigraphic section you will find ancient inscriptions on hard material. The Orphic plate from the4th century BC is made of gold in Greek and describes how people should behave in the underworld. Bronze plate from 81 AD - from the Temple of Saturn. Tabula Veletri in the Volcan language concerns legal liability.
On the ground floor there is a Farnese section. This is the collection of Alexander Farnese, who became Pope Paul III. It was with this collection that the creation of the museum began. It includes sculptural compositions and jewelry made of precious stones. The main place is occupied by statues from the baths of Caracal.
Since 2000, the so-called “secret cabinet” located on the mezzanine, a collection of erotic and pornographic objects from the Roman era, found mainly in Pompeii, has been available to the general public. For example, the marble group “Pan and the Goat”, the statue of Lakshmi, the Indian goddess of fertility, “Venus in a Bikini”, etc.
In the “Secret Cabinet” you will also see frescoes, sculptures and piquant household items. Most of the exhibits were discovered in private houses buried under the ashes of cities.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the largest collection of coins and medals of Ancient Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The Farnese family also handed it over to the state.
The Archaeological Museum is famous for its unique collection of frescoes, as well as mosaics on the floors and walls. The mosaic “The Battle of Alexander the Great with Darius” makes a special impression:
Don't miss the sundial room, on the floor of which there is a copper strip with 12 medallions of the zodiac signs. Sunlight penetrates through a special hole, and the beam shows what year and month it is. In the center is a statue of Atlas.
Address of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples: Piazza Museo Nazionale, 19.
How to get there:
- on metro line 1, stop Museo;
- by bus №139, 147, 168, 178, 460, 604, C63, N8, stop Museo Nazionale.
Open every day except Tuesday: 09:00-19:30. Closed on January 1 and December 25.
Ticket price:
- full ticket - 18 euros;
- for EU citizens 18-25 years old - 2 euros;
- holders of Campania Artecard - 9 euros;
- under 18 years old - free.
For more information, visit the official website: https://mann-napoli.it/.
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