The National Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli) is one of Naples's most interesting attractions. In him unique exhibits collected during excavations of ancient Italian cities destroyed by a volcanic eruption are collected, - Pompeii (Pompei), Herculaneum (Ercolano), Stabius (lat.Stabiae). Under one roof, the largest in the world and very valuable from the point of view of the history of culture expositions are gathered.
Story
The building, which houses thousands of exhibits, was built in 1615 as a university building. In the second half of the 18th century, the former university was converted to store expositions of the Bourbon dynasty and the Royal Library. After that, the museum grew rapidly, the collection collected by the Farnese family was moved here.
During excavations in the area of Vesuvio volcano (Vesuvio), a whole collection of unique artifacts was formed, which formed the basis of the new exhibition. Gradually, the building was rebuilt and expanded. In 1860, the museum became the property of the state and received the title of “national”. Later, the collection of paintings and other objects of art were isolated and placed in an art gallery, and the museum acquired a narrow archaeological focus.
Top exposure
One of the best exhibitions is a collection of sculptures from different eras, but the most valuable among them are the works of ancient sculptors and architects, extracted from the ruins of dead cities.
Artifacts discovered during excavations are classified and divided into several separate exhibitions: Farnese Hall, Sculptures from the terms of Caracalla and the Gallery of Emperors.
The archaeological museum is famousa unique collection of murals, as well as floor and wall mosaics, which scientists attribute to the time between 2 century. BC. until 79 A.D. Some of the exhibits are art objects found in the House of Faun (Casa del Fauno) in Pompeii. The mosaic makes a great impression“The battle of Alexander the Great with Darius”. The plots and sizes of other paintings are very diverse: from significant battle actions to simple everyday scenes and landscapes (Memento Mori, the image of fish and marine inhabitants, still lifes).
The National Archaeological Museum of Naples is interesting for its wonderful collection of Egyptian antiquities. The core of the exhibitions was formed by transferring private collections to the state. Thus, visitors to the museum can take a look at one of the largest Egyptian exhibits in Italy.
In 2000, the museum opened for public access the so-called "Secret Cabinet" - a collection of objects of art of erotic and overtly pornographic content.
An extensive collection of objects of art and everyday life indicates that in ancient times a beautiful body was an object of worship, not shame. In the Secret Cabinet you can look at the frescoes, reliefs, sculptures, homemade little things, dishes and decor items of a spicy sense. Most of the exhibits were collected from private houses buried under the ashes of cities. This exposition is almost the only exhibition where you can get acquainted with a collection of this kind, and so ancient.
A huge collection of coins occupies 6 halls and brings together about 200 thousand items. Coins and medals from the times of ancient Greece, Rome, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance - this is one of the largest such exhibitions. She was also transferred to the state by the Farnese family.
Among other interesting exhibitions are old household items, a collection of gladiatorial weapons, jewelry, attributes of a religious cult, objects related to the history of the Paleolithic, etc.
- We recommend to visit: Naples dungeon excursion
Famous exhibits
Many of the sculptures found on the ruins of Roman cities were copies of ancient Greek works, thanks to which mankind was given the opportunity to more fully study ancient art. Many of them are real masterpieces:
- sculpture of Athena Pallas - copy of the 5th century image BC.;
- the head of the goddess Artemis;
- bronze "Apollo playing the lyre";
- the statue of "Narcissus";
- Hercules statue a little more than 3 meters high;
- Farnese bull made of marble, copied from the work of Greek masters of 3-2 centuries. BC.
How to get there
- Address: Piazza Museo, 19, metro station “Museo”.
- Tickets: - 8 euros, the cost may be increased in case of international exhibitions; 4 euros - for EU citizens aged 18 to 24 years; EU citizens over 65, as well as teachers, admission is free.
- Opening hours: from 9:00 to 19:30, weekends: Tuesday, Sunday (optional, it is better to check on the museum website).
- Phone for information: +390814422149.
- Official site: www.cir.campania.beniculturali.it
