Antiquarium Turritano

About the museum

The museum stands in the archaeological area of Turris Libisonis, the Roman city on which modern Porto Torres developed. The building was erected between 1971 and 1973 and opened to the public in 1984; the name Antiquarium recalls the attention given to the materials of the Roman age of the colonia Iulia. Turris was the only city in north-western Sardinia with a port connected directly to that of Ostia.

The collections include ceramics, textiles, votive and ritual objects, honorary statues from the 1st to the 3rd century AD, inscriptions, cinerary urns, mosaics and wall plaster. From the area of the Palazzo di Re Barbaro come, among other things, a high-relief sculpture of Cautopates, fragments of statues and inscriptions, and clay and lead water pipes. There are also grave goods from the western necropolis, from Monte Angellu, Tanca Borgona and Scoglio Lungo, and a municipal collection ranging from the Nuragic age to the late Imperial period. Among the best-known pieces are a satyr mask from the Maetzke baths, the headless statues of the city’s magistrates and a marble altar to the goddess Bubastis.

The archaeological area extends along the right bank of the Rio Mannu and comprises a Roman bridge, begun at the start of the 1st century AD, baths and polychrome mosaics. Since 15 December 2025 the museum has been closed for a new display; since 2 May 2026 the archaeological area is also closed, for works relating to accessibility.

Highlights

• Satyr mask from the Maetzke baths
• Headless statues of the city’s magistrates
• Marble altar to the goddess Bubastis
• Roman bridge, baths and mosaics of the archaeological area
• Grave goods from the necropolises of Turris Libisonis

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione archeologica di Turris Libisonis – Finds from the Roman city and its territory: honorary statues, inscriptions, urns, mosaics and necropolis grave goods (museum closed for a new display).

Founded

1984

Operated by

Direzione regionale Musei nazionali della Sardegna (Ministero della Cultura)

Visitors per year

approx. 10,313 (2025)

Admission & discounts

Prices stated for the archaeological area before its closure. Free admission for students on educational visits and for accompanying teachers.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum states that it is fully accessible and free of architectural barriers; work is under way on new accessible routes between the museum and the archaeological area.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit