|
|
 |
|
The Best Museums
Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte: Created by the Bourbon kings, this picture gallery is one of the best in the world, holding paintings from the 13th century onwards. The catalogue looks like a book on art history, complete with all the famous names of Italian art and many members of the Flemish school. The regular special exhibits draw visitors from all over Italy, Europe, and the world. (The success of these special exhibits is such that you'll need advance reservations to get in, unless you don't mind standing in line for several hours.)
Museo Archeologico Nazionale: Even if you are only mildly interested in archaeology, you should not miss this unique museum, which holds the largest collection of ancient Roman artifacts in the world. Created in the 17th century -- with original Roman mosaics re-used in the floors and statues incorporated in the facade decoration -- this is where the best finds from Pompeii and other local sites were placed on display. The huge quantity of frescoes, statuary, and precious objects has greatly benefited from a reorganization, which was finished in 2005.
Museo Nazionale della Ceramica Duca di Martina: Housed in the elegant Villa Floridiana up in Naples's Vomero neighborhood, this rich ceramic collection includes the most important assemblage of Capodimonte porcelain in the world.
Museo Campano: This museum in Capua has a tall order, as the repository of the history and culture of the whole Campania region. It does a great job, though, with its several collections, covering the whole ancient history of the area, from the Oscans (about 6th century B.C.) to the Renaissance. It has a magnificent collection of parchment and illuminated manuscripts.
Museo del Duomo: This museum in Salerno is not large, but it holds a number of invaluable masterpieces ranging from Roman times to the Renaissance and baroque periods. It includes a unique collection of ivory carvings, a great picture gallery, and a rich collection of illuminated manuscripts.
Museo del Sannio: Housed in the atmospheric cloister of Santa Sofia in Benevento, this is a small but well-rounded collection of artifacts from local sites. It includes the largest collection of Egyptian art found at one Italian archaeological site, a local temple.
Museo Irpino: This modern museum displays a collection of artifacts found in the rich archaeological sites in the outlying region of Avellino. The objects date back into the distant past long before the Romans (or even the Greeks) came to the region -- as far back as 4000 B.C.
Museo Archeologico dei Campi Flegrei: Housed in the picturesque Aragonese Castle of Baia, this is another great treasure trove of Roman and Greek art in the vicinity of Naples.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
|
|
