The National Archaeological Museum of Naples (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, MANN) is one of the most significant archaeological museums in the world. Home to an extraordinary collection of Greco-Roman artifacts, this museum houses some of the most famous relics from Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other ancient sites destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Beyond its famed collection of Roman antiquities, the museum also boasts remarkable Egyptian, Greek, and Renaissance-era artifacts.

History of the Museum

The origins of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples trace back to the late 16th century when the Farnese family, one of Italy’s most influential noble dynasties, began assembling an extensive collection of classical sculptures, paintings, and antiquities. In 1734, Charles of Bourbon (King Charles VII of Naples, later Charles III of Spain) expanded the collection, laying the groundwork for what would become one of Europe's most prestigious museums.

The museum was officially founded in 1777, under King Ferdinand IV of Naples, and housed in a grand 17th-century palace originally built as a cavalry barracks before being repurposed as a museum. Over time, the collection grew, incorporating artifacts from excavations in Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae, transforming the institution into a premier center for the study of ancient history.

Notable Collections and Exhibits

The museum's vast collection spans multiple civilizations, with a particular focus on Roman and Greek antiquities. Some of the most important exhibits include:

1. The Farnese Collection

One of the museum’s most famous sections, the Farnese Collection, features spectacular Roman sculptures, including:

  • The Farnese Hercules – A colossal statue of Hercules resting after his labors, originally from the Baths of Caracalla in Rome.

  • The Farnese Bull – The largest ancient sculpture to survive from antiquity, depicting the myth of Dirce being tied to a bull.

2. The Pompeii and Herculaneum Artifacts

The museum holds an unparalleled collection of frescoes, mosaics, sculptures, and everyday objects excavated from Pompeii and Herculaneum. Highlights include:

  • The Alexander Mosaic – A breathtaking mosaic depicting Alexander the Great’s battle against Darius III of Persia, originally from the House of the Faun in Pompeii.

  • Pompeian Frescoes – A collection of stunning wall paintings that showcase the artistry and daily life of Roman society before Mount Vesuvius erupted.

3. The Secret Cabinet (Gabinetto Segreto)

A unique and controversial exhibit, the Gabinetto Segreto contains erotic art from Pompeii and Herculaneum, including frescoes, statues, and household objects that reveal the ancient Romans' liberal attitudes toward sexuality. Originally locked away and only accessible to scholars and elite visitors, this collection is now open to the public.

4. The Epigraphic Collection

This vast collection includes thousands of ancient inscriptions, tomb markers, and dedications, shedding light on the linguistic, cultural, and social life of the Greco-Roman world.

5. The Egyptian Collection

The museum also houses an extensive Egyptian collection, ranking among the largest in Italy. It includes mummies, sarcophagi, and artifacts dating back to the time of the Pharaohs, offering insight into the connections between ancient Egypt and the Mediterranean.

6. The Numismatic Collection

This collection of ancient coins and medallions spans from Greek, Roman, and Byzantine times, providing an economic and artistic record of history.

Location and How to Visit

The National Archaeological Museum of Naples is centrally located in Piazza Museo, Naples, making it easily accessible by metro, bus, or taxi.

📍 Address: Piazza Museo, 19, 80135 Napoli NA, Italy
🚇 Nearest Metro Station: Museo (Line 1), Cavour (Line 2)
🕒 Opening Hours: Typically open daily except Tuesdays; hours may vary.
🎟️ Tickets: General admission fees apply, with discounts available for students and groups.

Significance of the Museum

The National Archaeological Museum of Naples is more than just a repository of ancient artifacts—it is a gateway to the past. The treasures within its walls offer an unparalleled glimpse into Roman, Greek, and Egyptian civilizations, preserving thousands of years of history and artistic achievement.

For history enthusiasts, art lovers, and travelers eager to connect with the ancient world, a visit to MANN is an unforgettable experience. Whether marveling at the colossal Farnese sculptures, admiring Pompeian frescoes, or exploring ancient Egyptian relics, visitors leave with a profound appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of Naples and the Mediterranean world.

The Israel Museum (Jerusalem)
Complete List of Museums in Israel
Complete List of Museums in China
Complete List of Museums in Sweden
Video tour of the Sistine chapel
Video tour of the Uffizi Gallery
Video tour of the Louver
Video tour of the Metropolitan museum
Sistine Chapel, Vatican - address and location
Something on the Vatican Museums
St. Paul Basilica, Vatican
Titanic Museum in USA, Pigeon Forge
American Museum of Natural History, USA, NY
Brooklyn Museum, NY, USA
The Jewish Museum in New York, USA
The Holocaust Memorial museum in Washington, USA
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA
Museum of russian art, New Jersey, USA
Mutter Museum of Medical History, Philadelphia, USA
National Gallery of Art, Washington, USA
Water Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia
Best dinosaur museum in Moscow, Russia
Bread Museum in Izmailovo, Russia
Feodosia Money Museum, Ukraine
A. V. Bleschunov museum of Private Collections, Odessa
Cathedral Svyatogorsk Monastery Museum
Fire Fighting Museum in Kiev
Kerch Historical and Archaeological Museum, Ukraine
Lviv Art Gallery, Ukraine
Lviv Museum of Brewing, Ukraine
Reina Sofia art center, Spain, Madrid
Prado Museum: description, how to find it in Madrid, the location on the map
Art Museum of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
Thyssen-Bornemisza museum, Spain, Madrid
Museum Spanish Village, Barcelona, Spain
Pablo Picasso Museum in Malaga, Spain
Museums in Saint Petersburg
Museums in Moscow
Cathedral of the Annunciation, Moscow, Russia
Cathedral of the Archangel, Moscow, Russia
Cathedral of the Assumption, Moscow, Russia
Сatherine’s Palace, Pushkin, Russia
Church of the Deposition of the Robe, Moscow, Russia
City Sculpture Museum in St Petersburg, Russia
Kunstkammer, St. Petersburg (the anthropology and ethnography museum) - first Russian museum
The Literary Museum in Moscow, Russia
Monino Air Force Museum, Russia
The Armoury Chamber in Moscow, Russia
Museum of Applied Art and Everyday Life of XVII century Russia
Moscow Kremlin – Museum, Russia
Museum of Printing in Russia, Saint Petersburg
Polytechnic Museum in Moscow, Russia
Pushkin fine arts museum, Moscow, Russia
Railway Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
Repin museum - Penates, Russia, Saint Petersburg
Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia
The State Hermitage Museum, Russia, Saint Petersburg
History of the State Tretyakov Gallery and its location on the map
Painter Ivan Aivazovsky biography
What can be seen in the house of Caesar
Ancient Alexandria, Egypt
Which collections assembled by Cardinal Richelieu
What was the Museion, Egypt
Academy Gallery, Venice, Italy
Axel Munthe house, Venice, Italy
Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence, Italy
Correr Museum Venice Italy
Ferrari museum in Italy, Maranello
Gallery Brera, Milan, Italy
Italian Museum of Modern Art, Rivoli, Italy
Museum furniture in Italy, Valle d’Aosta
Museum of 18th century Venice, Italy
Museum of Capodimonte, Naples, Italy
Museum Poldi Pezzoli, Italy, Milan
National archaeological museum of Naples, Italy
National Museum of Bargello, Florence, Italy
Boijmans - Van Beuningen Museum, Rotterdam
Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem, Holland
Mauritshuis museum, Gaaga, Holland
Municipal Museum Amsterdam, Holland
Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Holland
The Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam, Holland
Best Munich Museums & Galleries: Art, History & Culture Guide
Berlin Portrait Gallery
Bavarian National Museum, Munich, Germany
BMW Museum in Munich, Germany
German museum, Munich, Germany
Mercedes Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany
Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany - location on the map
Museum Brandhorst in Munich, Germany
Museum newspapers, Aachen - history of the museum and its description
Porcelain Museum, Munich, Germany
Toy Museum in Germany, Munich
Dresden gallery (Old Masters Pictures), Germany, address and video
Bode Museum in Berlin
Wine Museum in Paris, France
What is considered the pearl of the Louvre exhibit?
What did Napoleon do for the Louvre?
Rouen Museum of Fine Arts, France
Puppet Museum in Paris, France