National Archaeological Museum, Naples

The National Archaeological Museum of Naples holds a major collection of Greco-Roman antiquities, with particularly significant material from nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum. The museum’s displays include large sculptures, fresco fragments, mosaics and everyday objects recovered from archaeological excavations.

Galleries are arranged to present the Farnese sculptures, Roman wall paintings and household objects that illustrate daily life in antiquity, as well as specialized rooms for ceramics and small finds. The museum is widely used by scholars and visitors interested in classical archaeology and the material culture of the ancient Mediterranean.

Much of the collection was assembled and expanded during the 18th and 19th centuries when finds from the excavations around Naples were brought to the city for study and preservation. The institution has continued to conserve and interpret these collections for public display and research.

Located in central Naples, the museum sits near the historic centre and is within easy reach of the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Vesuvius to the east, making it a frequent stop for visitors studying the region’s ancient history.

• Collection importance: Houses one of the world's most important collections of Greco-Roman antiquities and artefacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum, making it a key museum for classical archaeology.
• Pompeii highlights: Many of the best-preserved mosaics, frescoes and everyday Roman artefacts from nearby archaeological sites are displayed here, helping contextualize the Bay of Naples excavations.

What to See #

• Pompeii and Herculaneum galleries: Pompeii and Herculaneum galleries that display frescoes, mosaics and everyday Roman objects recovered from the two sites.
• Farnese collection: The Farnese collection, including large Roman sculptures and important Classical antiquities assembled by the Farnese family.
• Egyptian and other collections: Egyptian and Oriental collections with artifacts that reflect the museum's broader archaeological holdings beyond classical antiquity.