- Address: Vatican, Innocent VIII Palace
- Phone: +396 69884676
- Official website: mv.vatican.va
- Working hours: 9.00 - 18.00
- Opening: 1837
The Vatican , despite its tiny size, amazes with its beauty, grandeur, and the richest cultural heritage. One of the main attractions of the city is the Gregorian Etruscan Museum. The museum provides an opportunity to return many centuries ago and observe what Italy was like in those days. The Etruscans are a nationality inhabiting the Apennines in antiquity. The Etruscan civilization reached its greatest development in the 8th century BC.
How was the museum created?
In 1828, Pope Gregory XVI issued a decree establishing the museum, which was located in the palace of Innocent III and became known as the Gregorian Etruscan Museum. Most of the exhibits were objects of antiquity, discovered during excavations of ancient settlements in southern Etruscia. The collection was added in 1836-1837, when they discovered artefacts in the Sorbo.
Halls of the museum
Findings of archaeologists from the IX-I centuries BC. e. are placed in 22 thematic halls. Basically, these are items used in everyday life by the ancient Etruscans. Also, the collection of the museum is complemented by statues and portraits of the gods. The last halls are decorated with vases of the peoples of Italy and Greece.
In the first hall there are finds from the bronze and archaic periods: urns, sarcophagi. The most interesting is a ritual vessel made in the form of a chariot.
The second room carefully stores the finds from the tombs: jewelry, a funerary bed, a small chariot. The room itself is painted with frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible.
In the third hall, objects of everyday life, made of bronze, are kept. In addition, here you can consider the armor of Etruscan warriors, a unique mirror depicting the goddess. Old Testament fresco scenes adorn the walls.
The fourth hall is significant with finds dating from the VI-I century. BC. e. The sarcophagi are decorated with paintings depicting ancient myths. There are also two lions made of tuff in the hall.
In the rooms under the numbers 5 and 6, the organizers tried to recreate the decoration of the ancient Etruscan church. Many altars, statuettes, symbolizing animals sacrificed, as well as models of various parts of the human body and internal organs - the main gifts of the temple.
The two subsequent halls are represented by precious ornaments that were found on the site of ancient settlements and tombs. These halls glorify the jewelers of the time and their works.
In the ninth hall, art bronze and Etruscan ceramics, found in the necropolis of Vulcha, are kept. The number of exhibits varies within 800 pieces.
The tenth and eleventh halls show a popular cremation rite in ancient times. Here, too, are stored items that were used in it: urns, oils, incense, etc.
The twelfth room is filled with antiquities obtained at the end of the 19th century. by the will of Pope Leo XIII. Most of the collection is made up of ethnic vases, bronze ware, all sorts of figurines and, of course, jewelry.
The next room is a repository of lids from sarcophagi of various periods.
"Hall of Roman antiquities" - so sounds the name of the fourteenth hall of the museum. He keeps a collection of statues, sculptural portraits, bronze and silver articles made, according to archaeologists, in the III-I centuries BC. e. Many subjects are dedicated to rulers or gods.
Products made of glass, items made of ivory are stored in the fifteenth room. Here you can see the model of the ancient temple and the real objects of everyday life of that time.
Items found during excavations of Roman settlements near the Vatican are gathered in the sixteenth hall. The most valuable exhibits are oil lamps, altar, alabaster urns dating from the 1st century. n. e.
All the remaining halls unite the collection of vases and vessels of the Etruscans, Greeks, Italians, found during excavations in the XIX century.
How to visit?
Visit the Etruscan Museum you can daily from 9 am to 6 pm. The ticket office closes earlier, so you need to arrive no later than 15.30 to get on the tour.
The ticket price depends on the category, which includes visitors: adults - 16 euros, pensioners and students - 8 euros, pupils of junior classes - 4 euros. Unfortunately, tickets are not refundable, you need to consider and plan your day correctly.
To reach the Gregorian Etruscan Museum is easy. It is enough to choose the most suitable transport, and you are in place.
- Sitting in the subway car at the station line A, do not forget to leave it at the Musei Vaticani stop.
- Lovers of buses, expect numbers: 32, 49, 81, 492, 982, 990 - they will take you to the right place.
- Wishing to go by tram, wait.
- For those who are used to comfort, you can easily catch a taxi in the city.
A trip to the Vatican will be unforgettable and impressive, and a visit to the Etruscan Museum will be decorated and complemented with indelible impressions. Have a nice rest!
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