Visiting the National Archaeological Museum in Naples

During your visit to Naples, be sure to take a break from exploring the colourful and vibrant city streets to discover the fabulous collections of ancient art at the National Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico Nazionale). The museum is conveniently located in the heart of the city not far from the Spaccanapoli quarter and the Duomo of Naples.

The National Archaeological Museum is dedicated to the important collections of ancient art and here you can admire the impressive artistic finds uncovered at the nearby sits of Pompeii, Herculaneum and locations around Mt. Vesuvius and Naples.

Entering the museum you’ll first see the galleries of sculptures. These are on display in the magnificent Great Hall, an appropriately grand setting for the impressive collection of Greco-Roman sculptures. Stand in awe of the massive sculptural work called the Farnese Bull uncovered from the Baths of Caracalla in Rome. Walk around to take in the largest ancient sculptural group ever uncovered. Don’t miss the well-known Farnese Hercules, also found in the Baths of Caracalla.

The mosaics on display at the National Archaeological Museum were primarily uncovered during the 18th-century excavations of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Stabiae and Boscoreale. One of the highlights of the collection is the mosaic masterpiece from Pompeii depicting The Battle of Alexander, one of the most expressive and majestic mosaic works to have survived from ancient Roman times.

Many of the frescoes and murals on display were also found in the cities buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. Don’t miss the fresco of Achilles and Chiron that was found in the Basilica in Herculaneum. Walking through the galleries dedicated to the art from Pompeii, Herculaneum and other ancient sites in Campania offers a rare glimpse into the sumptuous beauty and artistic advances of ancient Roman.

Before leaving, be sure to catch a glimpse of the Farnese Cup, the masterpiece of the cameo and incised gem collection at the National Archaeological Museum. This impressive work was carved in Egypt in the 2nd or 1st century BC from a single piece of sardonyx agate. For those interested in Egyptian art, the museum is home to a fine collection on the lower level.