Museo Archeologico Nazionale

Out of any tragedy some good may yet be found. After the catastrophic explosion of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, the two towns were lost and almost 25,000 people with them. The strange thing about nature, she preserves as well as destroys and those that were lost speak to us through the ages.

The Museo Archeologico Nazionale or the National Archeological Museum is one of the world’s greatest museums. It houses the relics from the archeological digs at Pompeii and Herculaneum, the towns that were buried in the 79 AD eruption of Vesuvius. As these towns are being excavated, their findings are placed here for study, preservation and further care.

These are treasures beyond cost and are tragic records of a past lost suddenly by the unleashed fury of nature. There is much to be learnt from it. For example studies show that the people living in Pompeii were artisans and architects. Their homes were unique in that they actually had a hole in the main room for light and to collect water when it rained. This is no longer true of our times.

Find silverware and glassware so delicate that one can hardly imagine how they managed to survive the intense heat of lava. There are even loaves of bread almost 2,000 years old. There is a house on display, that was found in ancient Pompeii with the frescoes still beautiful after all these years.

Some interesting mosaics can found in the museum that depict comic scenes and pictures of battles. They are considered true works of art.

There is the Gabinetto Segreto (Secret Room) as well. Throughout ancient Pompeii, artifacts have been found of a very explicit sexual nature. These include frescoes and paintings and even ordinary household items like lamps. It was felt that viewing of these materials should be reserved for mature age and respected morals. The collection has been alternately open then closed for viewing many times. It was only in the year 2000 that the decision to open it to the public was made. It has a warning of its explicit contents posted before you enter to warn the viewers of what the room holds.

Aside from the rooms dedicated to Pompeii and Herculaneum, the museum is well known for the Farnese collection as well. These are marble statues called the Farnese Hercules, Farnese Atlas and the Farnese Bull, just to name a few. Each piece is unique. One of the reasons they are so important is because they are Roman examples of Greek classical sculptures, the originals of which have been lost. These are works of such Greek artists as Kalamis, Kritius and Nesiotes.

The Farnese Hercules is in fact the basis for the image of Hercules in European Mythology. It’s an image of the demigod leaning on his club, in one of his rare moments of rest though he is in the middle of one of his 12 tasks, expressed through the apple that he holds behind his back. It is a truly magnificent sculpture. Students of the arts of sculpting and drawing will be amazed at the detail of this work of art.

It is worth the time to having a really good look around this museum. Here on display are examples of the work that truly might have been lost in antiquity if it weren’t for the love of a few collectors and driven archeologists. Here lie keys to our past for us to see and learn from.

Address: Piazza Museo Nazionale, Naples, Italy
Phone Number: 081 44 01 66
Cost of Entry: €6.50
Opening Hours: 9.00am-7.30pm Wed-Mon