Secret Museum Museum
Private museum section housing ancient erotic artifacts
Located inside Naples' National Archaeological Museum, the Secret Museum displays erotic artifacts and objects from Herculaneum and Pompeii; visitors encounter rare antiquities and the museum's restricted‑access collection.
Secret Museum at a Glance#
Address: Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, Piazza Museo 19, 80135 Napoli NA, Italy
Website: https://museoarcheologiconapoli.it/en/
Hours: Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli: Tue-Sun 9:00am-7:30pm, closed Mondays (hours may vary seasonally)
Admission: General museum admission €12 (reduced tickets available); entry to the Gabinetto Segreto may be restricted or include an additional fee
About Secret Museum#
The Secret Museum (Gabinetto Segreto) is a specially curated collection within the National Archaeological Museum in Naples, Campania, containing explicit artifacts from Roman sites.
The collection grew from Bourbon-era excavations in the 18th and 19th centuries and was historically restricted or sequestered because of its explicit subject matter; it later became a documented part of the museum’s ancient Roman holdings. Curatorial changes over time have adjusted how and when the collection is shown to the public.
The cabinet is housed inside the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli in Naples, centrally placed among the museum’s galleries that focus on classical archaeology.
- Collection focus: Collection consists of erotic and explicit objects and frescoes recovered from Pompeii, Herculaneum and other Roman sites and historically kept separate from the main museum displays.
- Visiting note: Access to the room is sometimes controlled and may require a separate ticket or timed entry within the museum’s visiting arrangements.
How to Get to Secret Museum#
The Museo Archeologico Nazionale is a five- to ten-minute walk from Napoli Piazza Cavour metro station (Line 1) or from the Toledo station with a 20-25 minute walk. Taxis and city buses serve the Piazza Museo area. The museum sits across from the Villa Comunale along Naples’ seafront stretch; follow signs from central historic districts.
Tips for Visiting Secret Museum#
- Reserve ahead when planning to view the Gabinetto Segreto (the 'Secret Cabinet')-access is sometimes restricted and offered as part of timed visits.
- Visit early morning to avoid school groups and to spend quiet time in the Greek and Roman galleries that lead to the Secret Room.
- Observe the museum regulations-photography is often limited in the Gabinetto Segreto.
Best Time to Visit Secret Museum#
Best visited in spring or autumn to avoid summer crowds and to increase the chance of special-access viewing to the Gabinetto Segreto.
Weather & Climate near Secret Museum#
Secret Museum's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (988 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 7° | 101 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 2.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| February | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 8° | 86 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 2.9 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.5h |
| March | Good | 6° - 16° | 11° | 81 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.9 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 9° - 18° | 13° | 91 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 13.1h |
| May | Excellent | 13° - 23° | 18° | 55 mm | some cloud | 71% | 2.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 14.3h |
| June | Ideal | 17° - 27° | 22° | 29 mm | mostly sunny | 63% | 2.5 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 14.8h |
| July | Ideal | 19° - 30° | 24° | 24 mm | clear | 58% | 2.3 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.6h |
| August | Ideal | 19° - 30° | 25° | 37 mm | clear | 58% | 2.2 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.6h |
| September | Excellent | 16° - 26° | 21° | 89 mm | mostly sunny | 67% | 2.2 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Good | 13° - 22° | 17° | 129 mm | some cloud | 75% | 2.3 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Good | 8° - 17° | 13° | 151 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 2.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.8h |
| December | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 8° | 115 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 2.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
