How to visit the Archaeological Museum of Naples and see frescoes from Pompeii

When you travel to a city for tourism, it is not always worth visiting its museums, since it takes time and they may not have enough attraction and it is more worth exploring its streets or seeing other monuments.

On the other hand, in the case of Nápoles There is a museum that should become a must-see and a priority over other possible options.

I mean the National Archaeological Museum, which houses a collection that is truly marvelous.

In this museum you can see the artistic objects found in the Pompeii excavations and Farnese collection of classical sculptures, which in itself justifies the tourist trip to Naples.

This is the experience of visiting the Archaeological Museum of Naples

With the experience of our visit, I give you some advice about What you should see at the Archaeological Museum of Naples.

First of all, I can tell you that the very museum building It already has architectural interest.

Curiosities of the history of the Archaeological Museum of Naples

This building dates back to 1585 and is one of the most interesting palaces of naples.

Initially it was the headquarters of the University of Naples and the Royal Library, but from 1777 it became Royal Museum, going on to house the archaeological collections from Pompeii and Herculaneum and the ones he had king Carlos III.

Later they joined private collections, such as the Farnese, and the egyptian collection Stephano Borgia, and it was also enriched with new discoveries from the excavations of the Vesuvius volcano.

Finally, in the 20th century, after the transfer of the library's funds, it became the National Archaeological Museum.

Now, more than its exterior, the great attraction of the Naples Archaeological Museum building You find it in a specific interior room.

Meridian Hall

It is the spectacular Meridian Hall, which due to its enormous dimensions can remind you of Cinquecento Hall of the Palazzo Vecchio de Florence.

Located on the second floor, as a prelude to the collections of frescoes and objects from Pompeii, it is a room of enormous dimensions, which are magnified by its marble floor being almost completely clear.

El Meridian Hall was occupied in its day by the Royal Library, but currently, in addition to its aforementioned dimensions, what will catch your attention the most are the frescoes that cover its entire ceiling, which were made by Pietro Bardellini.

The very high walls of the Meridiana Hall of the Archaeological Museum are occupied by tapestries and paintings.

On the living room floor there is a large drawing of a sundial dating back to the 18th century.

My advice is that you dedicate the time that this room deserves to appreciate its artistic wealth, before entering to see the collection of objects from Pompeii and other ancient Roman enclaves.

Frescoes and mosaics from Pompeii in the Archaeological Museum of Naples

Which from my point of view totally A visit to the Archaeological Museum of Naples is essential is the aforementioned collection of frescoes, mosaics and objects from the excavations of Pompeii and other places that suffered the eruption of Vesuvius.

What's more, I can tell you that you visit to the excavations of Pompeii will be incomplete if you do not see the collection of the Archaeological Museum of Naples.

This is a spectacular exhibition of frescoes recovered from the excavations carried out, not only in Pompeye, but in the different archaeological enclaves that surround the Vesuvius volcano, among which also stands out Herculaneum.

If what interests you about the Pompeii visit it was just seeing the famous Roman frescoes and mosaics, you will not need to go to the excavations, but you will have to visit this Naples museum. which is where the most outstanding samples are found.

What will catch your attention the most during your visit to the museum will be the collection of mosaics from Pompeii and Herculaneum, with different configurations and very colorful drawings.

Also worth highlighting are the bronze sculptures of the Villa of Pisón Plans Herculaneum excavations, or the paintings and objects rescued in the Temple of Isis of Pompeii.

As curious corners are the so-called Secret Cabinet, with erotic paintings rescued from Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the large model of Pompeii.

Large model of Pompeii in the Archaeological Museum of Naples

The impressive Pompeii model It will allow you to have an interesting perspective of how these archaeological remains are currently found.

Esta Pompeii model It began to be built in 1861, and made on a 1:100 scale, it shows with great fidelity details of the different houses and buildings that you can see during your visit to the excavations.

Over the years the Pompeii model It was assembled and disassembled several times, until, finally, after the Second World War, was installed in the Naples Archaeological Museum, where you can now see it.

In it you will only miss the model of the most external areas of the excavations, such as the great amphitheater of pompeii, as well as buildings that have come to light in recent excavations.

Farnese Collection in Naples Archaeological Museum

Another of the great attractions of the Neapolitan museum is the Farnese Collection.

This is a splendid example of collecting from the era of the Renacimiento, with a wide sample of monumental sculptures from the classical era, from Rome y Greece.

Therefore, when you visit the archeological Museum you are going to find an incredible collection of classical sculptures which I honestly don't think you can find with such quantity and quality in any other museum in the world.

Started by Alexander Farnese, who in the mid-16th century was the Pope Paul III, this famous collection is the result of the purchase, confiscation and donation of various collections of sculptures from the Classical rome, which were taken to Farnese palace Rome.

During the 18th century, the large number of works of the Farnese Collection became the property of Charles of Bourbon, son of the Spanish king Philip V and his second wife Elizabeth of Farnese.

After being appointed king of naples in 1734 with the title of Charles VII, it was then that he began to move the collection to what would become the new museum of naples, yes, with the opposition of the Papacy.

On your visit to the imposing Farnese Collection at the Naples Archaeological MuseumWithout a doubt, there are two works that will impress you the most, both coming from the Termas de Caracalla de Rome.

On the one hand, the sculptural group known as the Farnese Bull.

This is the iconic work of the Farnese Collection and I tell you that the photo that illustrates this note does not reflect its true monumentality, which you will only appreciate during your visit to the museum.

There are references that this imposing sculptural group whose central focus is a bull was made in the 2nd century BC and was recovered in the 16th century in the excavations of the aforementioned Roman baths.

Sculpted in a single piece of marble, it is considered the largest sculpture among those from the Antiquity.

The other work that will catch your attention the most is the Hercules Farnese.

As a curiosity, it is a Roman copy of an original sculpture by Greece.

This great Roman Hercules, 3,2 meters high, was also sculpted in marble in the XNUMXrd century.

Recovered in 1546 in said excavations of the Termas de Caracalla, had to be completely restored and, subsequently, various copies of it have been made.

In short, Farnese collection It is the other spectacular Tsar of the Neapolitan museum, to which you will surely go with the desire to see the archaeological remains of Pompeii that this institution houses.

Visiting hours of the Naples Archaeological Museum

El National Archaeological Museum you find it in the National Museum Square, not far from Spanish Quarter of Naples.

The Naples Archaeological Museum visiting hours They are every day of the week, from 9 a.m. to 19,30:XNUMX p.m., with last entry half an hour before closing, except on Tuesdays when it is closed to visitors.

Naples Archaeological Museum ticket prices

The ticket prices to visit the Archaeological Museum of Naples The general rate is 20 euros, and the reduced rate is 2 euros, from which citizens of the city benefit. European Union whose age is 18 to 25 years.

They can visit the Naples Archaeological Museum for free children under 18 years of age and people with disabilities.