Archaeological Museum of Naples

Explore the treasures of Pompeii: mosaics, frescos and objects uncovered from the buried city

$326 and up

Private

N/A

Small group

Tour Details

About the Tour

Category: History, Four Days in Naples
Duration: 2.5 hours
Location: Naples

Photos & Highlights

Unearth one of the world's most important collections of Roman artifacts
Led by an archaeologist or classical historian
Naples Archaeological Museum, Farnese Collection, and Pompeiian frescoes

Tour Description

The Archaeological Museum of Naples, founded in the 18th century by the Bourbon king Ferdinand IV to house the astounding collection of ancient statuary he procured from the Roman Farnese family, is one of the richest and most important archaeological collections in the world. Its vast number of Greco-Roman statues, paintings, and mosaics make this museum a must-see for understanding the ancient history of the area, especially the lost towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. During this 2.5-hour Naples Archeological Museum Tour, we will join an archaeologist or classical historian for an in-depth look at ancient Roman society and some of the most spectacular archaeological finds in the world. (Note, we strongly recommend coupling this tour with our half-day Pompeii Tour, perhaps on separate days, in order to get the full experience of Pompeii in Naples.)

Naples Archaeological Museum Tour

We will spend the beginning of the tour on the lower floors, becoming familiar with the exquisite collection of ancient statuary, such as the Farnese Hercules, the emblem of the Greek mythic hero, and the Flavian-era Agrippina, a seated statue of one of the most influential Roman Empresses. A large part of this collection stems from Pope Paul III (r. 1534-1549), a Farnese family member who borrowed liberally from the ancient sites of Rome. During this time, we might also contemplate some of the many Egyptian objects, such as the tazza Farnese, an intricately painted agate dish, representing the Egyptian divine triad Serapis-Isis-Harpocrates and dating to the Ptolemaic Kingdom (305-30 BCE) when prosperity reigned in Egypt.

Peering into Pompeii

We will then proceed with admiring the beautiful Pompeiian frescoes, moved to the museum during excavations. We will have the opportunity to view the richly decorated Roman paintings, depicting mythological, religious themes as well as stills and landscapes of that era, in the process gaining an understanding of Pompeiian lifestyle and beliefs. Given the considerable size of the museum and its vast collection, our guide will select specific artifacts while skillfully weaving through sculptures, mosaics, frescoes, and the minor arts to paint a comprehensive view of ancient Italian civilizations.

Take Aways

Our visit at the Archaeological Museum of Naples will provide us with a memorable opportunity to learn about the history of the museum and its collections, focusing on the significance of its sculptures, mosaics, frescos, and artifacts contextualized within the ancient civilizations of the Campania area and southern Italy during the ancient and Bourbonic era.

We also include this museum as part of our full-day Pompeii Tour. For a deeper antiquities adventure we strongly recommend our full-day Mount Vesuvius Tour. If you're traveling with kids, take a look at our Pompeii for Kids Tour.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Roberto

Roberto is an archaeologist and an licensed guide of Campania Region with a bachelor's degree in Cultural Heritage, a master's degree in Classical Archaeology, and a diploma of Post-Graduate School in Archeological Heritage. He has been a licensed guide of Campania Region since 2011 and has also worked as an archaeologist all around the Mediterranean sea: Populonia (Livorno, Italy), Paestum (Salerno, Italy), Olbia de Provance (Hyères, Var -France), Efestia (Lemnos, Greece), Phaistos, (Crete, Greece). Since he was a child, Roberto loved the history of ancient Greeks and Romans and art history, from the Middle Ages to the Avanguardie of the '900. He collaborates with Slow Food (an international movement that strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and encourages farming of plants, seeds, and livestock characteristic of the local ecosystem) and enjoys sharing tips with those who want to discover the authentic pleasures of wine and traditional food.

39 Reviews – (4.88)

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Great guide to a Great museum

Robert

Apr. 4, 2019

Roberta was fantastic !! very knowledgable about the museum, easy going, friendly and passionate about her work .

Marie

Nov. 15, 2018

Francesca has a wonderful grasp of the many layered history of the archeological sites surrounding Naples and through her guidance made it come alive.

Debra

Sep. 23, 2018

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Archaeological Museum of Naples

Participants

Naples Archaeological Museum Tour

Peering into Pompeii

Take Aways