Free museums in Naples on Sunday 5 March: here are the sites not to be missed

Toro Farnese at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples

The appointment, now super awaited, is back "Sunday at the Museum" which allows you to visit the State museums of Naples to discover our cultural heritage. For this month the appointment is set for 5 March 2023, being the first Sunday.

As always, the visits will take place according to schedules of the various structures, below it will be possible to consult the information regarding most of the state museums open, and free, on December 4, 2022.

Here are the participating museums and temporary exhibitions which are organized within them.

This post in brief

National archeologic museum

The MANN of Naples is one of the most important archaeological museums in the world and as far as Roman history is concerned it is certainly the first in importance. The heritage inside is made up of statues, paintings, artifacts, objects, mosaics and is of inestimable value.

It houses the following collections:

  • the collection Farnese, with finds transferred from Rome and its surroundings during the 700th century;
  • the collections Pompeian, which are largely Bourbon, with works from the Vesuvian area;
  • the collection Egyptian, which ranks third in the world for its importance. In first and second place are those of the Egyptian museum in Cairo and Turin.

Tips for visiting


The museum is very big and the visit takes a few hours, so we suggest that you have at least a couple of hours available. Currently you can visit the exhibition dedicated to Lucio Dalla , exhibition on Massimo Troisi.

Information on free access to the Mann

Address: Piazza Museo, 19, 80135 Naples NA
Schedule: 9.00-19.30. Last 18.30 entry
Contacts: 081.4422149 | Official site


Museum of Capodimonte

The Museum is located in what was once the Palace used by the Bourbons as a hunting lodge and is immersed in the beautiful Wood of Capodimonte. In its numerous rooms there are mainly paintings by great Italian and international painters such as Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Bruegel the Elder, Ribera.
It consists of three floors:

  • in the first there are the Farnese Gallery, the Borgia Collection, the Royal Apartment, the Porcelain Gallery and the De Ciccio Collection, the Farnesiana and Bourbon Armory;
  • in the second the Neapolitan Gallery, the Hall of Tapestries, the d'Avalos Collection and Contemporary Art;
  • on the third floor the contemporary art collection continues and there is the nineteenth century gallery and the photographic section.

Tips for visiting

Recall that there is also the new bistro where to relax with an aperitif.
Don't forget to visit the top floor where you can find the modern art exhibition with the Vesuvius by Andy Warhol.

Information on free access to the Capodimonte Museum

Address: Via Miano, 2, 80131 Naples NA
Schedule: 8.30-19.30
Contacts: 0817499111 - 081749915 - 848800288 | Official site


Castel Sant'Elmo and the Museum of the Twentieth Century

It is a medieval castle located on the Vomero hill and was built starting from aancient Norman tower. It is one of the most important examples ofmilitary architecture of the '500 and today it can be visited by crossing its internal ramps that allow us to admire the structure between ampie arcades and caves. Once you get to the top, you get great Piazza d'Armi from which you can admire a beautiful view of the city and the Gulf of Naples. During the summer, concerts and events are also organized.

Tips for visiting

In the Castel Sant'Elmo there is a permanent museum called Museum of the twentieth century 1910-1980 with works created by artists, almost all Neapolitans, during those 70 years.

Information on free access to Castel Sant'Elmo

Address: Via Tito Angelini, 20 / A, 80129 Naples NA
Schedule: 8.30-19.30
Contacts: 0812294401-848800288 | Official site

Info Castel Sant'Elmo and Museo del Novecento. Address: via Tito Angelini, 22. Hours: 8.30-19.30. Tel: 0812294401 848800288.


Certosa di San Martino Museum

It is located next to Castel Sant'Elmo, therefore always on the Vomero hill and is one of the major religious monumental complexes in Naples. Inside there are approx 100 halls, 4 chapels, 1 courtyard, hanging gardens and 3 cloisters and it is a beautiful example of the Baroque style. In addition to all the rooms with their beautiful treasures, the Cloister of the Procurators and the Great Cloister are also worth a visit. In the Certosa there is also the National Museum of San Martino which tells the story of Naples from the Bourbon era to the post-unification period.
Under the Certosa there are the Gothic undergrounds which represent the original foundations.

Tips for visiting

Not to be missed while visiting the Hall of Carriages and the Naval Hall with beautiful original models.
In the Great Cloister there are skull-shaped decorations: there are 13 in total and recall the original 13 monks for whom the Monastery was intended. One of them is surrounded with the crown of laurel and is the so-called "graduate skull".

Information on free access to the Certosa di San Martino

Address: Largo S. Martino, 5, 80129 Naples NA
Schedule: 8.30-19.30
Contacts: 0812294541 | Cultural Heritage Site


Royal Palace of Naples

It overlooks Piazza del Plebiscito and was the residence of the many kings and viceroys who reigned over Naples. Today it is a beautiful museum which includes both Appartamenti Reali and it is the seat of the National Library. The majestic staircase in piperno it is famous all over the world and was defined by Montesquieu as the most beautiful in Europe. During the visit we can admire, in the various rooms, incredible frescoes, furnishings, objects, accessories and paintings.

Tips for visiting

Definitely worth a visit i Hanging gardens rich in climbing plants and Boungainvillea.
The exhibition can currently be visited The Time Gallery.

Information on free access to the Royal Palace

Address: Piazza del Plebiscito, 1, 80132 Naples NA
Schedule: 9.00-20.00. The ticket office closes at 19.00
Contacts: 0815808111 - 081400547 - toll free number: 848800288 | Official site


Villa Pignatelli and the Carriage Museum

It is a monumental villa located on the Riviera di Chiaia and is one of the most important examples of neoclassical architecture in Naples, in fact it recalls the domus by Pompeti.
Inside there are the Prince Diego Aragona Pignatelli Cortés Museum and Carriage Museum.
In the Villa there are three floors:

  • the first contains the collection of oriental porcelain from the 700th and 800th centuries, paintings and other works donated by Princess Rosina and which are part of the Prince Diego Aragona Pignatelli Cortés Museum;
  • the other two floors are attic and basements that were once used for servants.

Tips for visiting

During the visit do not miss, always inside the complex, the Carriage Museum: it was inaugurated in 1975 and contains pieces from private collections and is located in the old stables of the villa on the ground floor.

Information on free access to Villa Pignatelli

Address: Riviera di Chiaia, 200, 80121 Naples NA
Schedule: 8.30-17.00. The ticket office closes at 16.00
Contacts: 08176123560039 - 081669675 | CoopCulture website

Info Museum and Villa Diego Aragona Pignatelli Cortes. Address: Riviera di Chiaia, 200. Hours: 8.30-17.00. The ticket office closes at 16.00. Tel: 08176123560039 - 081669675.


Virgil's park and tomb

His name is Vergiliano Park, not to be confused with the Virgilian Park, and is located in Piedigrotta. Inside there is the sepulcher which is considered to be the Tomb of Virgil and there is also the Tomb of Giacomo Leopardi. From the 600th to the 800th century the farm was owned by different owners and only in 1930 it became a park. In the avenue that gradually leads up towards the tombs there are several tombstones such as those that list the ancient springs of thermal waters.

Tips for visiting

It is curious to note, at the entrance to the Tomb of Virgil, aepigraph in marble on the rock built in 1554 by the canons of the convent of S. Maria di Piedigrotta which is nearby. It's about a ironic writing who doubts whether it is the poet's ashes. Recites:

  • Here cineres? Tumuli haec vestigia: conditur olim / ille hic qui cecinit pascua rura duces, that is “What ashes? These are the vestiges of the mound. He was once buried here who sang the pastures, fields, leaders "

Information on free access to Parco Vergiliano

Address: Salita della Grotta, 20, 80122 Naples NA
Schedule: 8.45-14.45
Contacts: 081669390 - 0812294409 | pm-cam.tombavirgilio@beniculturali.it


Submerged Archaeological Park of Gaiola

The Gaiola Park is a'protected sea area surrounding the two famous islets della Gaiole and which extends between the Borgo di Marechiaro and the Bay of Trentaremi. It is an incredible place because on the seabed there are remains of ancient Roman ports, fish ponds and nymphaeums which over the centuries have collapsed due to bradyseism. The area is protected because the biological variety is of great importance: in the waters there are several marine communities typical of the Mediterranean.

Tips for visiting

You can choose between different types of guided tours: by land, with snorkeling, by boat to admire the seabed and by scuba diving.

Information on free access to the Submerged Archaeological Park of Gaiola

Address: Descent Gaiola, 80123 Naples NA
Schedule: 10.00-16.00
Contacts: 0812403235 (Visitor Center) | info@areamarinaprotettagaiola.it | Official site


Villa Floridiana and Duca di Martina Museum

The Villa Floridiana is a building located inside thehomonymous park of Vomero. It was one of the residences of the Bourbons and since 1927 it has housed the National Museum of Ceramics, Duke of Martina. The collection consists of objects donated in 1911 by the Duke of Martina and which date back to the second half of the 800th century.
The Floridiana Park is made up of several trails and groves and a large English lawn. There are, scattered here and there, the remains of fake architectural ruins commissioned by the architect Niccolini and there is the Teatrino della Verzura where meetings, shows and readings are also organized.

Tips for visiting

Do not miss to go to the foot of the large external staircase of the Villa that leads towards the Belvedere both to admire the beautiful landscape and to see the great one Fontana delle tartarughe which is home to dozens of turtles that have found their habitat inside.

Information on free access to the Villa Floridiana

Address: Via Domenico Cimarosa, 77, 80127 Naples NA
Museum Hours: 8.30-19.30 (last admission 19.30pm)
Contacts: 0815788418 | Facebook page


Flavian Amphitheatre

The Flavian Amphitheater is located in Pozzuoli and is, for capacity, the third largest amphitheater built by the Romans after the Colosseum and the Amphitheater of Capua. It is one of the testimonies of the ancient prosperity of Pozzuoli as a Roman city since the costs for its construction originated from taxes, as evidenced by the remains of a still visible slab with the inscription "Colonia Flavia Puteolana Pecunia Sua", which means "the Colonia Flavia Augusta built at his own expense".
It was built in opus reticolatum, which suggests it was made under Nero, but also in bricks. This and also the fact that it is very similar to the Colosseum, suggests that it was built in the Flavian Age.

Tips for visiting

His parents must absolutely be visited underground where the gears which were used by the Romans to raise the cages to the arena of the Amphitheater where the challenges between the animals and the gladiators took place. Alternatively, the scenographies of the shows were raised.
They are perhaps the best preserved undergrounds ever in an amphitheater.

Information on free access to the Flavian Amphitheater

Address: Corso Nicola Terracciano, 75, 80078 Pozzuoli NA
Schedule: from 9.00 to one hour before sunset
Contacts: 0815266007 | Official site


Archaeological Park of Cuma and the Sibyl's Cave

The park was inaugurated in 1927 during the great excavation campaigns in progress since the early 900s that brought to light many finds from the Greek acropolis.
Nowadays you can visit:

  • theAntro of the Sibyl, at the foot of the hill. It is the most famous attraction;
  • la Byzantine tower with the Belvedere, climbing the fortress;
  • the Lower Terrace, also called Temple of Apollo;
  • the Upper Terrace on the summit of Monte di Cuma, called Temple of Jupiter.

Instead, the area of ​​the ancient low city it can only be visited on exceptional occasions because enhancement works are underway.

Tips for visiting

As mentioned, the Sibyl's Cave is the most well-known attraction to visitors and it is said that the ancient Sibyl wrote her responses through the swirling of the leaves that were moved by the wind that passed through the hundred side openings of the gallery.
A gem concerns the presence of a ancient lunar calendar which is located on the outer western wall.

Information on free access to the Archaeological Park of Cuma

Address: Via Monte di Cuma, 1 - 80078 Pozzuoli (NA)
Schedule: 9: 00 - 19: 00 (last entry 18: 00)
Contacts: 0818543060 | Official site


Monumental Park of Baia

A very interesting site both from an archaeological and a naturalistic point of view. Preserve the remains of a villa whose construction began in the XNUMXnd century BC and which continued, with many renovations, for the following five centuries. The floors were once covered in marble and there were frescoes on the walls, but now what remains is exhibited at the Museo del Castello di Baia.

Tips for visiting

There is a long porch overlooking the Gulf of Baia from which you can enjoy a wonderful panorama. Don't miss it.

Information on free access to the Monumental Park of Baia

Address: Via Bellavista, 37, 80070 Bacoli NA
Schedule: from 9.00 to 19.40. Reservation required
Contacts: 0818041349-0818040430 | Official site


Ruins of Pompeii

The Archaeological Excavations of Pompeii are one unique testimony in the world of a Roman city that we can still admire today. In fact, due to the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, a large part of the town has remained as it was then because it was buried by ash and lapilli, leaving us the opportunity to see with our own eyes how the ancient Romans lived. IS one of the most visited sites in the world.
Walking through the ancient streets of Pompeii we can visit:

  • villas, the most famous of which is perhaps the Villa of the Mysteries;
  • houses, including the domus belonging to the richest;
  • public buildings;
  • temples, including the Temple of Apollo, one of the oldest in Pompeii
  • the necropolis at the gates of Pompeii (the largest is that of Porta Nocera);
  • the Forum of Pompeii;
  • the Triangular Forum;
  • the Amphitheater;
  • the Teatro Grande;
  • the Stabian Baths;
  • macellum (market);
  • skeletons of people and animals.

Tips for visiting

The park is really big because it consists of 44 hectares, therefore the visit is long. Consider that for a really quick visit it takes about 2 hours, but to visit the place more calmly you need at least a day.

Information on free access to the Pompeii excavations

Address: the entrances are


Schedule: from 1 April to 31 October from 9.00 to 19.00 (last entry to 17.30)
Contacts: Official site


Excavations of Herculaneum

As for Pompeii, Herculaneum is also a Roman town provides us with a testimony of the life of the ancient Romans because it is well preserved following the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD which buried it in ash and lapilli. Excavations, starting from the 700s, have brought to light streets, houses, villas, skeletons of people and animals, spas, temples and macellum (market).
Unlike Pompeii, there is only one Villa in Herculaneum and it is the famous one Villa dei Papiri. Remember to visit there tooancient city beach which today is 3 meters below the original level and which can be reached through a tunnel

Tips for visiting

To visit the Herculaneum excavations you need approximately 3 hours, at most one half day. The site is much smaller than the excavations of Pompeii. We remind you that it has been reopened The House of the Gem.

Information on free access to the excavations of Herculaneum

Address: Corso Resina, 187, 80056 Herculaneum NA
Schedule: from 16 March to 14 October from 8.30 to 19.30 (last admission 18.00)
Contacts: 0817324311 | Official site


Excavations of Oplontis

The city of Oplontis was also buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD along with Pompeii and Herculaneum. The excavations are located in the center of the current Torre Annunziata and one of the most famous attractions is the Villa of Poppea. The other villas present are the Villa of Lucius Crassius Tertius and the Villa of Caio Siculi. The only villa that can be visited is that of Poppea.

Tips for visiting

While visiting the beautiful Villa di Poppea, which features incredible Pompeian-style decorations, mosaics and statues, also visit the Calidarium. This is the area of ​​the ancient baths with hot water baths. There is also a Tequila where they took baths of lukewarm water.

Until 2 October in Roman villas of Stabia, Oplontis and Boscoreale openings are planned in the evening.

Information on free access to the Oplontis excavations

Address: Via Sepolcri, 80058 Torre Annunziata NA
Schedule:

  • from 9.00 to 19.00 (last entry to 17.30)
  • quota entry for time slots for a maximum of 40 visitors, every 15 minutes.


Contacts: Official site


Palace of Caserta

The Royal Palace of Caserta was the ancient residence of Bourbon dynasty near Caserta and commissioned by King Charles of Bourbon on a project by Luigi Vanvitelli. Today the Royal Palace can be visited and is an immense museum where you can admire the ancient life of the court.
We can visit:

  • the Royal Apartments;
  • the Murattiano Apartment where Gioacchino Murat stayed;
  • the Palatine Library;
  • the Royal Nativity;
  • the Pinacoteca;
  • the Picture Gallery.

The visit continues outside with the beautiful gardens of the park of 120 hectares. They are divided into the Italian Garden and the English Garden.
From the entrance of the Royal Palace a long path of more than 2km unfolds called "The Way of Water”Which also includes numerous and wonderful fountains reaching the hills in front of the Royal Palace.

Tips for visiting

The Royal Palace with its gardens is really huge so the visit will last several hours if not the whole day. If you choose to visit the park and the boulevard using the shuttle or a bike, times are reduced.

Information on free access to the Royal Palace of Caserta

Address: Viale Giulio Douhet, 2A 81100 Caserta CE
Schedule: we recommend that you consult all the timetables of the different sections on the site of the Royal Palace. Free admission on booking
Contacts: Official site

  • Where: Napoli
  • When: Sunday March 05 2023
  • Price: the event is free
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Written by Andrew Navarro
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