Welcome to the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, one of the most important archaeological museums in the world. Founded at the end of the 18th century, the museum houses a vast collection of artifacts from the main archaeological areas of Campania, including Pompeii, Herculaneum, Stabiae, and Cumae. Its collection offers a unique overview of Roman civilization, with works ranging from prehistory to the late antiquity period.

The tour begins on the ground floor, where the Farnese Collection is located, one of the richest collections of ancient art in the world. This collection was started by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese in the 16th century and enriched by his successors. Among the most famous masterpieces are the Farnese Bull, an impressive marble sculpture depicting the myth of Dirce, and the Farnese Hercules, one of the most famous statues of antiquity, representing Hercules leaning on his club after one of his labors.

Continuing on, we arrive at the section dedicated to Mosaics. Here we can admire some of the most extraordinary examples of Roman mosaics, many of which come from the villas of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Among the most famous is the Alexander Mosaic, which depicts the Battle of Issus between Alexander the Great and Darius III of Persia. This mosaic, discovered in the House of the Faun in Pompeii, is considered a masterpiece of Roman mosaic art.

On the first floor, we find the Egyptian Collection, which includes artifacts collected by the Bourbons and later enriched by archaeological excavations. This section offers an overview of Egyptian civilization, with sarcophagi, mummies, statuettes, and other funerary objects that illustrate the religious beliefs and daily practices of the ancient Egyptians.

One of the museum's highlights is the Pompeii Collection, located on the second floor. This section includes frescoes, statues, household utensils, and other objects that provide a detailed look at daily life in the Roman city before the eruption of Vesuvius in 79. Among the most famous frescoes are those from the Villa of the Mysteries, depicting scenes of Dionysian initiation rites.

The Secret Cabinet, a reserved section of the museum, houses a collection of erotic art from the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum. These artifacts, which were once accessible only to a select few, offer insight into the sexual practices and beliefs of ancient Rome. Among the items on display are frescoes, sculptures, and everyday objects with erotic themes.

The museum also hosts an extensive numismatic collection, with coins covering a period from Magna Graecia to the medieval era. These coins not only represent an important source of economic information but also offer a glimpse into the historical events and figures of power of the time.

On the third floor, we can explore the Prehistoric and Protohistoric Section, which features artifacts ranging from the Paleolithic to the Iron Age. This collection illustrates the development of early human communities in Campania, with stone tools, ceramics, and other artifacts that show the evolution of techniques and cultures over the millennia.

One of the latest additions to the museum is the Epigraphic Section, which gathers inscriptions on stone and other materials, mainly from the Vesuvian area. These inscriptions, ranging from simple graffiti to official edicts, offer valuable testimony of public and private life in ancient Rome.

Finally, the Greek Sculpture Section houses a series of original works from Greece and Roman copies of Greek masterpieces. Among the most notable works are the Doryphoros by Polykleitos, a Roman copy of the famous Greek bronze, and the Aphrodite Kallipygos, a statue representing the goddess Aphrodite in a sensual pose.

The National Archaeological Museum of Naples is not only a place of preservation but also a center for research and dissemination of knowledge. Through temporary exhibitions, conferences, and educational activities, the museum continues to play a fundamental role in the appreciation and understanding of archaeological heritage.

A visit to the National Archaeological Museum of Naples is a journey through time, an opportunity to discover the magnificence of antiquity and to better understand the roots of our civilization.

Thank you for joining us on this exploration, and we hope you continue to enjoy the wonders this extraordinary museum has to offer.