National Archeological Museum of Civitavecchia

The National Archeological Museum of Civitavecchia, also known as City Museum, is located inside the eighteenth-century building commissioned by Pope Clement XIII in the eighteenth century, a stone's throw away from Fort Michelangelo.

The museum preserves the main historical and archaeological testimonies of the city, including also artefacts from the territory, both from the coastal sites and from the mountains of Tolfa. We remind that the city of Civitavecchia was founded by the emperor Trajan to be the port of Rome, a role it still has today. 

If you are in the surroundings and have a couple of hours to spend in the city, we recommend to visit it...

VISIT ITINERARY

The Archeological Museum of Civitavecchia presents an itinerary designed over two floors, with records from the dawns of civilization, during the whole Ancient times, until the Middle Ages.

Extension works are planned. We will keep you updated!

GROUND FLOOR

At the ground floor the most interesting finds that can be admired are a statue of god Apollo (first century AD), discovered during the excavations in the villa Simonetti of Santa Marinella, former summer residence of the Roman jurist Eneo Domizio Ulpiano. It is very likely a reproduction of the Colossus of Rhodes.

Of particulare importance there is also a reproduction of the Athena Parthenos ("Athena the Virgin") by Phidias dating back to mid second century AD and some mable heads, one of them representing young emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Recently at the ground floor has also been opened a new Epigraphic Room, hosting, besides the wonderful Roman epigraphs of the Imperial Fleet, also two new invaluable finds: a head of nymph from Hadrian times, discovered close to the Taurine Baths and a figurehead with female bust made with solid bronze of Roman times, discovered in mid 800 in the port, donated by then prince of Ardia to the National Museum.

FIRST FLOOR

On the first floor of the Museum you can admire pottery and bronze finds and some examples of Etruscan Bucchero from the main settlements of the area: Castellina del Marangone with its Etruscan necropolis (Marangone and Volpelle) and Aquae Tauri with the Etruscan necropolis of Pisciarelli.

In particular a gobblet decorated by impression (seventh century BC), an splendid balsamario with a female figure on her knees in front of another woman (of Egiptian inspiration and origin, sixth century BC), and some black-coloured ceramic vases (fourth century BC). Not to be missed is also some metal finds with a bronze ring and a gold earring of valuable refinement. 

Bucchero is a class of black ceramics, usually thin and light, made by Etruscans to realize decorated vases with various tecniques: from incision, to mould design, to use of ornamental elements.

In the back room, which has the original 1970s layout created by the architect Minissi, there are finds from the Etruscan sanctuary of Punta della Vipera and from the important village of Luni sul Mignone, with pottery typical from the Apennine and rare Mycenaean ceramics.

The other showcase display a series of precious objects from the Museum's collections, chronologically exhibited through the entire cycle of Etruscan culture. The exposition closes with materials from the Taurine Baths and the proto-Villan necropolis of La Pozza (Allumiere).

Enjoy your visit!