Magiche Trasparenze
Exhibition of Roman glass from the necropolises of Albenga, including the famous cobalt blue dish, in Palazzo Oddo.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is housed in the former Collegio Oddo, founded in the 17th century by the nobleman Gio Maria Oddo to educate the young people of Albenga, especially the poorest and most deserving. The complex was later enlarged, renovated and connected to the church of San Carlo; today it also houses the Biblioteca Civica.
The exhibition presents glass finds recovered from the excavations of the necropolises of ancient Albingaunum, carried out by the Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Liguria. Almost two hundred pieces, dating from the 1st to the 3rd century AD, form one of the most important discoveries of recent years: alongside everyday objects are glasses that came from the borders of the Empire, the Middle East or Egypt, documenting the circulation of goods in the port of the Roman city.
The route begins with the history of glassmaking, with a reconstruction of a glassmaker’s furnace, and continues with sections on cosmetics and on cooking and dining, accompanied by models, maps and two complete burial sets. The most famous piece, at the end of the visit, is the cobalt blue dish with two dancing putti in honour of Bacchus, unique in the world.
Highlights
- Cobalt blue dish with dancing putti, unique in the world
- Almost 200 Roman glass objects from the necropolises of Albenga
- Reconstruction of a glassmaker’s furnace
- Sections on cosmetics, cooking and dining, with comparisons in ceramic and metal
- Models of Albingaunum and two complete burial sets
Permanent exhibition
- Magiche Trasparenze – I reperti vitrei delle necropoli di Albenga – Almost 200 Roman glass objects from the 1st to the 3rd century AD, with the cobalt blue dish as the highlight of the route.
- Operated by
- Comune di Albenga
- Visitors per year
- approx. 4,000
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6Under 14s, over 65s, groups of at least 4 people, students and university lecturers, teachers, members of the Touring Club and Endas, holders of the Piemonte Musei and Ligurian Riviera Tourist Card |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Groups of at least 10 people, price per person: with a guided visit by a museum staff member €10 (over 18 years) and €7; with an external guide €6 and €5. |
| Reduced admission | €5For visitors who have already visited another museum of the civic network on the same day, on presentation of the ticket. |
Tickets for the civic museums of Albenga can also be bought at the IAT tourist office.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in the historic centre of Albenga, in Palazzo Oddo (former Collegio Oddo), at Via Roma 58.
Get directionsAmenities & 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 |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided visits are available with museum staff or with external guides. |
