Visiting the National Archaeological Museum
If you only see one cultural spot in Naples, make it the National Archaeological Museum. Spanning 12,650 m² of exhibition space, it is not only one of the largest in Italy but also one of the most fascinating anywhere. While the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum launched the collection, it has since expanded to include treasures from ancient Egypt, classical Rome, and an incredible numismatic collection. Housed inside the Palazzo degli Studi, a grand palace built in the late sixteenth century, this site turns a trip through time into an unforgettable experience.
Meeting buried worlds
We can thank Charles III of Bourbon for the initial excavations of the Roman towns buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Ferdinand IV later added the Farnese collection, one of the most famous assemblages of Roman antiquities, providing the guiding threads for a truly exceptional visit. Spread across four levels, the ground floor is devoted to Campanian statues, sculptures, and Farnese precious stones and jewels, ranging from second-century BC cameos to Renaissance gems that catch the light at every turn. On the first floor, mosaics from archaeological sites and frescoes from private homes possess a staggering level of detail. Here you will find furniture from the House of the Faun in Pompeii alongside the mosaic depicting the battle between Darius and Alexander, making it a vivid, colorful history book that also incorporates coin collections. This floor is also home to the Secret Cabinet and its notoriously suggestive erotic artifacts. The second floor is the largest, centered around the Sundial Hall which divides sections dedicated to metals, ivory, glassware, the Villa of the Papyri, the Temple of Isis, bronze statues, a scale model of Pompeii, and everyday objects. Hours barely scratch the surface of what is on offer. Down in the basement, the Egyptian collection and its treasures round out a visit that is both moving and magnificent.
Opening hours
| Monday | 09:00-19:30 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 09:00-19:30 |
| Thursday | 09:00-19:30 |
| Friday | 09:00-19:30 |
| Saturday | 09:00-19:30 |
| Sunday | 09:00-19:30 |
In the historic heart of Naples, housed in a magnificent palace, this museum is my favorite in the city.
You will find many objects from Greco-Roman antiquity here, with explanations about the ways of life back then. I found it very informative. Many things that we think are recent already existed at the time!