Antiquarium arborense
Civic archaeological museum in Oristano, housed in Palazzo Parpaglia, with finds from Tharros and the Pischedda collection; currently closed for renovation.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Antiquarium Arborense was founded in Oristano in 1938 to collect the archaeological evidence of the area, particularly from Tharros, the ancient Phoenician-Punic city on the Sinis coast, from which many finds were brought to the town.
The core of the collection is that of the lawyer Efisio Pischedda (1850–1930), bought by the Municipality of Oristano after his death. The museum is now housed in Palazzo Parpaglia, after an earlier location in Via Ciutadela de Minorca.
The rooms display gold jewellery and grave goods from Tharros, Nuragic bronze figurines, Phoenician and Punic objects (including the stelae from the tophet), a Montefortino-type helmet, and a section devoted to finds from Neapolis. One room is reserved for the altarpiece of the Santo Cristo, a 16th-century work by Pietro Cavaro. In 2023 the collection was enriched with around eighty pieces from the Guastini collection.
Since 19 February 2024 the museum has been closed to the public for works to renew the spaces and the new display. Reopening depends on completing the accreditation process with the Ministry of Culture.
Highlights
- Gold jewellery and grave goods from the Tharros necropolis
- Nuragic bronze figurines and Phoenician and Punic objects, including the tophet stelae
- Altarpiece of the Santo Cristo by Pietro Cavaro (16th century)
- Pischedda collection and Guastini collection
- Tactile route for blind and partially sighted visitors
- Founded
- 1938
- Operated by
- Comune di Oristano
- Visitors per year
- approx. 6,500
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
A tactile route for blind and partially sighted visitors is planned, with enlarged-print texts and Braille.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (IT, EN, FR) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours in Italian, English and French; interactive route in English. The QR-code audio guide (Italian, English, French) covers the Torre di Mariano II. Bookings are also possible via WhatsApp at +39 375 618 8060. |
