Signed in as
Museum in Palazzo Cenci in the historic centre of Santarcangelo, with an archaeological and historical-artistic route, tactile replicas and inclusive videos.
September 18, 2026 – February 28, 2027
Concluding exhibition of a project on the history and effect of writing: objects from the museum and around 200 personal and family documents from the participatory Memoroteca archive. Themes: work, school, crafts and war.
The Museo Storico Archeologico of Santarcangelo di Romagna opened on 7 May 2005 with the aim of preserving the history, art and culture of the town for its residents and visitors. It is housed in Palazzo Cenci, a former noble residence in the medieval old town, between the first and second circles of the Malatestian walls, overlooking Piazza Monache. The part facing Via della Costa probably dates from the 17th century, while the rear wing on Via dei Fabbri was enlarged between the late 18th and early 19th centuries; the frescoes in the rooms of the main floor (piano nobile) date from the same period. After the Municipality bought the building, it served various functions before becoming a museum.
The route is spread over five levels. The archaeological section traces the area from prehistory to the Roman period, when kilns and craft districts produced containers for agricultural products, building materials and, in late antiquity, oil lamps. The art-historical section occupies the five rooms of the main floor and brings together works from the Middle Ages to the 19th century from the local area, including the 14th-century polyptych by Jacobello di Bonomo, alongside interventions by contemporary artists. The museum is run by the Fondazione Culture Santarcangelo (FoCuS) and, thanks to a project funded by the PNRR (Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan), has been made more accessible, with lifts, tactile maps, replicas to touch and inclusive videos.
Admission is free.
According to the service charter of the Municipal Museums, admission is free, with donations welcome.
The ramped entrance is on Via dei Fabbri. The museum spreads over five levels that can be reached by lifts and stairlifts, and each level has a tactile orientation map. A wheelchair is available at reception. The Armadio del Tempo offers ten 3D replicas to touch, and eleven inclusive videos are available with an LIS interpreter, subtitles, audio and animations.
The museum provides a nursing chair and a changing table; ask staff where they are. Replicas to touch, interactive stations, events for children and workshops for schools.
via F. Montevecchi (linea 90)
Santarcangelo di Romagna railway station (Piacenza–Bologna–Rimini–Ancona line); Start Romagna bus line 90 (Rimini – Santarcangelo – Savignano sul Rubicone), stop on Via F. Montevecchi; Rimini Nord/Santarcangelo motorway exit.
Parking available
The museum is in a ZTL (limited traffic zone); the nearest car parks are Parcheggio Cappuccini (Via Cappuccini 4) and Parcheggio Francolini. For ZTL access: Local Police, tel. +39 0541 356361 / +39 0541 624361.
The museum is in a part of the old town that is hard to reach, so the website invites visitors to contact the museum to arrange a visit. The ramped entrance is on Via dei Fabbri.
Get directionsReception area with ticket desk and bookshop; cloakroom with secure key lockers. Benches and seats along the route.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (IT, EN) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Free audio guide in Italian and English on the izi.TRAVEL platform; captions and explanatory panels in Italian and English, and a catalogue. Two interactive multimedia stations explore the Roman kilns and the church of San Francesco. Educational routes for schools of all levels; the museum is part of the guided route through the old town “Dal sacro al profano”, organised by the Pro Loco. |
