The Museum of Ancient Boats (Arsenale Medicea) in Pisa is a fairly new museum that was specially created after the chance discovery of a number of antique boats. The museum exhibits 16 old ships, the newest of which dating back to the 5th century.
A brief history of the Arsenale Medicea in Pisa
The Arsenale Mediceo is a huge brick construction, built in the late 16th century. It was originally used to prepare the galleys used by the Order of the Knights of Santo Stefano to fight the pirates in the Mediterranean. Before the site was chosen for the Arsenale, it was used for the city’s Botanical Garden.
Museo delle Navi Antique (Museum of Ancient Boats)
The Antique Boat Museum is the direct result of an accidental archaeological find. In 1998, during the construction of a new railway line, several extremely well preserved boats were discovered.
The city decided to exhibit these finds in a museum.
While the excavations were going on, the site was turned into a kind of open museum, where lay people could experience the excavations and restorations up close.
In the museum 16 old ships can be seen, the newest of which dates from the 5th century.
In addition to the ships themselves, tools and other possessions of the sailors were preserved.
How to get to the Arsenal Medicea
The address of the museum is Lungarno Ranieri Simonelli, 14-16, 56125 Pisa. Phone: +39 050 80578800.
Opening hours
Tuesday to Friday from 08:30 till 14:00; Saturdays and Sundays from 14:00 till 19:30.
Tickets
A single ticket is 10 Euros. Ages 6-18: 5 Euros. Ages: 0-6: Free. Age 65+: 8 Euros. Family ticket (Max 2 adults + 3 children between 6 and 18): 20 Euros.
Arsenale Medicea – Lungarno Ranieri Simonelli 14-16, Pisa
Bibliography
Bertini, Luca, Pisa itinerari. Guida alla visita della città .
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