I'm very confused about where to see the artifacts taken from Pompeii. Most of the posts on the RS forum talk about a museum in Naples. However in 2021 a new Antquarium was opened at Pompeii. Yhe article says that's where all the Pompeii artifacts are. When I try searching the Naples National Museum I don't find anything on the Artifacts. Can anyone shed some light on this?
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6990 posts
Naples Archeological Museum
Closed Tuesday
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7750 posts
Most of the sculptures and frescoes and un-covered mosaic floors at Pompeii Scavi have been replaced with replicas (to protect the originals from weather and sun), and the originals are in the Naples Archaeology Museum. That museum has a special room for the ... er ... erotic frescoes and art, but that's a small part of the Museum. The museum also has the famous Farnese Marbles, which have nothing to do with Pompeii.
Years ago, the full-body victim casts were partially viewable at the Pompeii Scavi site. I'm not sure where they are today.
While the Villa of the Mysteries is frequently closed for conservation, lack of guards, or other reasons, the famous frescoes there are still in their original location. But it is a long walk from the Porta Marina entrance to Pompeii Scavi, and its open status is not on a blackboard anywhere that I know of.
I happen to love museums, but I don't personally subscribe to the frequently expressed opinion on this newsboard that it is essential to see the museum before you go to Pompeii Scavi. If you have time for the museum, fine. But leaving yourself with only two hours to see the VAST site of Pompeii Scavi itself would be a worse mistake than missing the museum. Opinion.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16367 posts
The good news? There are artifacts at both!
In addition to the helpful link to the archeological museum (MANN) above - there are many artifacts from Pompeii, Herculaneum and other areas there - this Smithsonian article about the Antiquarium might be of interest.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/after-decades-pompeii-museum-reopens-180976834/
And its own page of the park's website:
https://pompeiisites.org/en/pompeii-map/antiquarium/
Editing to add:
When I try searching the Naples National Museum I don't find anything
on the Artifacts.
Hmm, not sure why you couldn't find these but here you go:
https://mann-napoli.it/en/gli-oggetti-di-vita-quotidiana-dallarea-vesuviana-2/
https://mann-napoli.it/en/mosaici-2/
https://mann-napoli.it/en/gabinetto-segreto-2/
https://mann-napoli.it/en/numismatica-en/
https://mann-napoli.it/en/frescoes/
https://mann-napoli.it/en/tempio-di-iside-2/
Keep in mind that the majority of collections are not strictly from Pompeii but contain other relics from the "Vesuvian area" (Herculaneum, Stabiae, Boscoreale, etc.) as well.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
4425 posts
The Antiquarium at Pompeii is quite small and unimpressive. The Archeological Museum in Naples is outstanding and you can spend several hours there looking at all the artifacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum. If you main focus are the Frescos you'll see an impressive amount at Pompeii among the ruins. At the Archaeological museum I was amazed at how many everyday objects were on display that looked brand new straight out of a department store. They are incredibly preserved.
Posted by
OP
San Martín California
21 posts
WOW! Thank you to everyone that has chimed in. It is immensely helpful! I think each of the replies answered one part of what I was seeking. I can now make a better decision. I have emailed several guides and ride services, and am getting quotes from many of them. We'll definitely make it to Pompeii and if we can the Archeological Museum in Naples. Likely by private arrangements to be more efficient.
We're also planning to go to Ostia Antica at the end of our cruise, as we'll be in Rome for 4 nights and the 5th night we'll spend about 15 min away from OA to be closer to the airport. Happy Travels!