Museo archeologico al teatro romano

About the museum

From 1857 the archaeological collections of Verona were deposited in the civic museum of Palazzo Pompei; they came from donations and purchases by local families and collectors. In 1904 the municipality bought the entire area of the Roman theatre from the heirs of Andrea Monga, together with the buildings and the collections of inscriptions and architectural fragments.

The museum was set up in 1924 in the former Gesuati convent, a 15th-century complex suppressed in 1805 by Napoleonic decree, which stands on the San Pietro hill above the cavea of the theatre. After the 1930s displays and the 1970s restorations, the complex was consolidated and rearranged between 2013 and 2016.

The complex consists of three parts: Palazzo Fontana, with the entrance, ticket office and teaching rooms; the area of the Roman theatre; and the museum proper in the convent, reached by climbing the cavea.

The route presents Roman Verona, the necropolises, the scale models of the Arco dei Gavi and the Arena, the theatre and the sanctuary of Isis and Serapis, then bronze and marble sculptures, glass, small bronzes, inscriptions and funerary monuments in the cloister, and the Roman mosaics in the church of San Girolamo.

Highlights

• Roman theatre of Verona with the cavea
• Bronze and marble sculptures, including a Roman copy of Phidias’s Venus
• Roman mosaics in the church of San Girolamo
• Scale model of the Arena with a gladiator mosaic
• Cloister with inscriptions and funerary monuments
• Large panoramic terrace

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso nel convento dei Gesuati – From Roman Verona to the necropolises, from the theatre to the sanctuary of Isis and Serapis, with sculptures, glass, small bronzes, inscriptions and mosaics.

Founded

1924

Operated by

Comune di Verona (Musei Civici)

Director

Francesca Rossi

Visitors per year

approx. 107,241

Admission & discounts

Fees according to the portal of the Ministry of Culture (not confirmed on the museum’s website); buying online adds a booking fee (€0.45 on the full ticket). Free admission also for Verona residents over 65 and for VeronaCard holders. The museum also mentions the MyIMUV card for residents.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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
• Audio description: no information

For the Roman theatre, a printed guide with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) symbols and a simplified audio guide are available for an accessible visit.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

The programme “Merendocchio al museo” offers activities for children aged 6 to 11 from October to January; birthday parties can be arranged at the museum.

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