Regional Archeological Museum Antonio Salinas

Palermo, Italy

The Regional Archeological Museum Antonio Salinas possesses one of the richest collections of Punic and Ancient Greek art in Italy, as well as many items related to the history of Sicily. Formerly the property of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri, the museum is dedicated to Antonio Salinas, a famous archaeologist and numismatist from Palermo. It is part of the Olivella monumental complex, which includes the Church of St. Ignatius and the adjoining Oratory.

Collections

On the ground floor, a section is dedicated to the artefacts found underwater, including materials that were part of the cargo of vessels, stone anchors, strains of lead, lamps, amphoras and inscriptions ranging from the culture of the Phoenicians to that of the Romans.

The Phoenician section displays two large anthropomorphic sarcophagi of the fifth century BC from the necropolis of Pizzo Cannita (near modern Misilmeri). There are also sculptures of gods and Phoenician votive stelae from Mozia and Lilybaeum.

A reconstruction of the east pediment of the archaeological site of Selinunte is exhibited, displaying the Gorgon of Temple C, several metopes with mythological reliefs (Temples C and E) and sculptures of the archaic and classical period. In 1823, two British architects, Samuel Angell and William Harris, ventured to excavate at Selinunte in the course of their tour of Sicily, and came upon many fragments of sculptured metopes from the Archaic temple now known as “Temple C.” Although local officials tried to stop them, they continued their work, and attempted to export their finds to England, destined for the British Museum. Now in the shadow of the activities of Lord Elgin, Angell and Harris’s shipments were diverted to Palermo, where they remain to this day in the Archaeological Museum.

Artifacts from Himera are on display, as well as objects and sculptures from Solunto, Megara Hyblaea, Tindari, Kamarina and Agrigento. Among the most important works of art are the great Ram bronze of the third century BC from Syracuse, a Roman copy of a sculpture by Lysippus depicting Heracles catching the Ceryneian Hind and a Roman copy of a marble statue by Praxiteles depicting a satyr.

The Roman period is documented by a collection of sculptures and mosaics found in villas from Piazza Vittoria in Palermo, where the center of the Roman city was previously located. Even prehistoric cultures present in the caves around the territory of Palermo are exhibited in the museum.

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Details

Founded: 1866
Category: Museums in Italy

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Poppy Davidson (3 months ago)
A small oasis in a busy city. The information could have been conveyed in a more interesting format however we did enjoy the small section with virtual reality. The exhibits are well presented and maintain and overall it is a pleasant space to spend an hour or two. Lovely gift shop with lots of excellent books. And we loved the terrapins ?
Jp Floru (6 months ago)
Pleasant to spend one hour. Pleasant green interior garden. A few grand Greek and Roman statues; interesting sarcophagi. Find the Greek vase with cat! Fire extinguishers provide sight pollution for some of the best objects. 7/10
mariia s (6 months ago)
The museum has a small but nice collection. The virtual reality experience is super
Alex D. (13 months ago)
It's such a nice museum! Besides checking the exhibition, take a moment to enjoy the inner courtyard with the small fountain with fish in the centre. Take a place on a bench, hear the wind and the birds, and relax in this wonderful small oasis.
Anne Cayer (16 months ago)
Fantastic museum. Very interesting exhibit in a gorgeous space. ?
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