ONCE UPON A TIME

Explore one of the world’s most precious collections of classical antiquities on this private tour of Naples’ Archaeological Museum.

The first seed of the museum was sown in the late 18th century when King Ferdinand IV of Naples established a showcase for the priceless works of art he had inherited from his ancestors inside a grandiose 16th century palazzo. The treasure trove we can admire today, comprising over 3,000 artefacts of inestimable artistic value, is a result of successive acquisitions, donations and findings. A much recommended tour for anyone planning on visiting the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, this experience will allow you to grasp the full picture of ancient Roman Campania before the fateful year 79 AD, when the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius covered the nearby towns under thick layers of ash. Guests will enhance their understanding of the area and its absorbing history, gaining a unique insight into the daily lives, beliefs and decorative tastes of those who used to live here. Your guide will lead you on a journey back in time past Egyptian artefacts, Roman sculptures and Pompeiian paintings and throw light on the must-see masterworks.

Marvel at the extraordinary artistic achievements of ancient craftsmen as you wander through the halls devoted to the Collezione Farnese, once the property of the powerful Roman Farnese family, avid accumulators of all things ancient. Among the highlights of this section of the museum are a number of engraved gems and exquisitely carved marble statues which were unearthed in 1546 during the excavations carried out in the Baths of Caracalla in Rome. Noteworthy pieces include the massive 3rd century AD Hercules, representing the weary mythological hero as he leans on his club after completing his twelfth labour; the 2nd century AD Atlas, kneeling under the weight of the celestial spheres; the 3rd century AD Bull, a colossal marble group representing the myth of Dirce.

The museum also hosts a remarkable collection of 2,000-year-old mosaics and frescoes recovered from Pompeii in the 18th and 19th centuries. These works attest to the skill of local artisans and open a precious window onto Pompeiian lifestyle and culture. The scenes depict an array of different subjects, ranging from religious representations and landscapes to animals and portraits. Not to be missed are the fabulous battle scene featuring Alexander the Great, detached from the floor of House of the Faun, and the incredibly well-preserved paintings that once decorated the Temple of Isis.

A dazzling collection of bronze artefacts, marble busts and sculptures from the Vesuvian towns of Herculaneum and Stabiae allow the visitor a moving glimpse of long gone but once thriving Roman centres of civilization.