The Naples archaeological museum is one of Italy's top archeology museums and a Naples must-see site. Highlights include:
- Mosaics - Covering the period from two centuries BC until the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, most of the mosaics are parts of floors or walls from Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae. many have figures from Greek paintings. The most well-known are the mosaics from the House of the Faun in Pompeii.
- Secret Cabinet - This room was created in the early 1800's to house the museum's many sexual items. It was closed for many years but reopened in 2000. Visitors must be at least 11 years old.
- Frescoes - Most of the frescoes come from walls in Pompeii. Covering a period of about two centuries, the frescoes are excellent examples of Roman painting. They cover a variety of themes, including mythological, landscapes, and scenes of daily life.
- Temple of Isis - A special exhibit holds wall paintings removed from the temple of Isis in Pompeii as well as artifacts from the temple.
- Pompeii Model - Made in the 19th century, the model of Pompeii is very detailed and helps the visitor visualize what it looked like before the eruption.
- Sculptures - The museum has a huge collection of Greek and Roman sculptures, many of them Greek and Roman.
- Coins and Metals - Six rooms containing more than 200,000 coins and medals from Ancient Greece, Rome, medieval times, and the Bourbon era.
- Prehistory and Early History - These rooms cover objects related to the Bay of Naples from paleolithic times to Greek colonizatoin in the 8th century BC. There's a section on Etruscan occupation of the area.
National Archeological Museum of Naples - Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli
Location: Piazza Museo 19, 80135 NapoliClosest underground station - Piazza Cavour. No parking available.
Hours: Wednesdays - Mondays, 9:00 am until 8:00 pm (last entrance 7:00 pm), closed Tuesday
Information: web site, Tel. 0039.081.440166
Admission: price was 6.5 euro, as of May 2008. Reductions for under 25 or over 65.
Cumulative ticket (valid for 3 days) includes the museum and Campi Flegrei archeology sites and museums.
Save on admission with the Campania Artecard - includes free admission for the first two uses and 50% on further uses and public transportation use. Cards are available for 3, 7, or 365 days. It can be bought ahead or right at the museum.
Visiting Vesuvius and Pompeii
Europe Travel has information about visiting these two important sites near Naples.- Visiting Mount Vesuvius - An Illustrated Guide
- Visiting Ancient Pompeii - A Visitors Guide to the Pompeii Excavations
