Central Italy's le Marche region holds a unique sight housed in one of its museums, four large gilded bronze sculptures from the Roman era in the Museo dei Bronzi Dorati. This rare collection, dating from the first century BC, includes two equestrian sculptures with men dressed in military style on horseback and two figures of women in cloaks, believed to be representative of a Roman aristocratic family.
Fragments of these sculptures were dug up in a field near the city of Pergola after being discovered by farmers in 1946. Following a fantastic restoration job, the four sculptures, called the Bronzi Dorati da Cartoceto di Pergola, were put on display in a museum created to hold the exhibit in Pergola. According to the museum, this is the only group of ancient Roman gilded bronzes in existence today.
How to See the Roman Gilded Bronzes
The Museo dei Bronzi Dorati, or Museum of Gilded Bronzes, is just outside the medieval center of Pergola in central Italy's le Marche region. It's well-signed and easy to find, next to a large parking area. Pergola is in the center of le Marche region, about 40 kilometers from the coast and between Urbnio and Jesi on this Marche region map. Also in the museum are collections of Roman art, contemporary art, coins, and art works from the Pergola area.
Museum Information:
- Hours: 10:00 - 13:30 and 15:30 - 18:30 (19:00 in July and August), closed Mondays except in July and August
- Phone: +39 0721 734090
- Price: 6 euro in 2011, check web site for updated information
- Museum of the Gilded Bronzes
Near Pergola
The Renaissance city of Urbino is about an hour away. There are several interesting places to go in le Marche within a 30 - 45 minute drive from Pergola. These are a few highlights:
- Grotta di Frassasi, one the best cave complexes in Italy.
- Sassoferrato, where you can make reservations to visit a Roman site and museum, an ancient abbey, and several interesting churches.
- Farrotecca, a unique restaurant serving dishes based on farro.
