The National Etruscan Museum in the Villa Giulia (Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia) is housed in a beautiful palazzo in the northern part of the Villa Borghese Park in Rome. Its extensive collection shows archeological finds from the age of the Etruscans, a people who lived in (especially) the northern part of Lazio in pre-Roman times.
Villa Giulia Etruscan Museum Rome
Address, opening hours and admission
Address: Piazzale di Villa Giulia, 9 – Rome (tel. +39 06 3226571 – 06 3201706). District: Quartiere Pinciano. Public transport: Tram: 3. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9.00-20.00 (last entrance at 19.00 hours). Closed: Mondays, December 25. Admission: 8 Euros (EU citizens 18-25, 4 Euros; any nationality 0-17, free). The museum is free for everybody on the first Sunday of the month.
History
The museum is housed in a 16th century papal palazzo, the Villa Giulia, which, with its beautiful courtyard, would be worth a visit even if it did not house the museum. It was built by, and named for, Pope Julius III and famous architects such as Giorgio Vasari, Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola and Bartolomeo Ammannati all contributed to its construction, which lasted from 1550 to 1555.
Underneath the Villa Giulia there is a nymphaeum. Remains of the ancient Acquedotto Vergine and the neviera (a precursor of the refrigerator) of Pope Julius can also be seen.
Main Attractions Etruscan Museum Rome
The Etruscans are famous for the sophisticated works of art they produced and particularly for the sarcophagi, bronze sculptures, jewellery and terracotta vases.
- The Apollo di Veio: A sculpture found in the ancient Etruscan city of Veio, dating back to the 6th century BC.
- The sarcophagus of the lions (6th century BC): This is one of the most famous Etruscan finds and was discovered in the best known archeological Etruscan site, Cerveteri.
- The sarcophagus of the bride and groom was likewise found in Cerveteri and dates back to the same period.
- The Cista Ficoroni is a 4th century BC bronze urn, which is climbed by three figures.
Special exhibitions
Sometimes the Etruscan Museum also hosts special exhibitions. These are not always dedicated to the Etruscans.