The National Archeological Museum is one of the most ancient and important museums for the abundance and uniqueness of its heritage and for the contribution it offered the European cultural survey.
The origin and the constitution of its collections are connected with Charles III of Bourbon, on the throne of the Kingdom of Naples since 1734, and his cultural policy. The king promoted the exploration of the Vesuvian towns buried by the eruption of 79 AD (started in 1738 in Herculaneum, in 1748 in Pompeii) and looked after the carrying out of a “Museo Farnesiano” in the town, transferring from the palaces of Rome amd Parma part of the rich collection inherited from his mother Elizabeth Farnese.
His son Ferdinando IV stimulated the project for the joining together in the present building, constructed at the end of the 16th century as a riding school and from 1616 till 1777 seat of University, both the Farnese Collection (Collezione Farnese) and the collection of Vesuvian findings already exhibited in the “Museo Ercolanense” inside the Royal Palace in Portici.
From 1777 the building was subjected to a long series of renovation works and extension plans entrusted to the architects F. Fuga and P. Schiantarelli. In the decade of the French domination (1806-1815) the first works were carried out and with the return of the Bourbons to Naples in 1816 the building was denominated “Real Museo Borbonico”. Conceived as a Universal Museum, it housed institutes and laboratories (Real Biblioteca, Accademia del Disegno, Officina dei Papiri…), subsequently transferred to other seats in 1957.
The collections of the Museum, become National in 1860, went enriching by the acquisition of findings coming from the excavations in the sites of Campania and Southern Italy and from private collections. The transfer of the Picture-Gallery to Capodimonte in 1957 determines its present characterization of Archeological Museum.
Visiting hours and prices
HOURS
The Museum is open from Monday to Sunday from 9.00 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.
It is closed on Tuesday.
When Tuesday coincides with a holiday, it is closed on Wednesday.
It is closed on December 25th and January 1st.
The ticket office of the Museum closes half an hour before.
All Thursday from May 12th to September 29th 2016 the National Archeological Museum of Naples is open until 11.00 p.m. The last admission is at 10.15 p.m.
INFO AND RESERVATIONS
Individuals, groups, schools: 848 800 288
+39 06 39967 050 (from cell-phones and abroad)
The service works from Monday to Friday from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.; on Saturday from 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.
Openings schedule of the MANN over Christmas
24 december open
25 december closed
from 26 to 31 december open
1 and 2 january closed
from 3 to 8 open
TICKETS
- Entire price tickets: Euro 12.00
- Reduced price tickets: Euro 6.00
- Evening entry tickets: Euro 2.00
