MŪSA – Museo Archeologico di Alghero

About the museum

The MŪSA preserves and tells the historical, social and cultural memory of Alghero. The collection brings together finds linked to the first human settlements in the area, from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages, from the urban excavations and from sites outside the inhabited centre, such as the Nuragic village and the Roman villa of Sant’Imbenia, the medieval cemetery of San Michele and the Roman necropolis of Monte Carru.

The museum is housed in a 15th–16th-century building in the historic centre, beside the church of San Michele, known as the “ex carceretto” (former little prison). At the end of the 16th century its rooms were part of the Jesuit convent; in 1766 they became a warehouse, were later enlarged to house infantry militia and around 1840 were converted into a district prison. In 1965, after the prisoners had been moved, the ground floor housed a fencing and boxing gym, an important meeting place for young people in the post-war years.

The MŪSA was inaugurated on 22 December 2016. The display presents the image of the Catalan city and its inhabitants in a chronological route organised into thematic sections across the two floors of the building, with environmental reconstructions. A recent redevelopment, funded with PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) money, has improved the accessibility of the spaces. The museum is run by the Fondazione Alghero and is part of the Sistema museale della Città di Alghero.

Highlights

• Finds from the Nuragic village and Roman villa of Sant’Imbenia, including a stucco with a female face
• Capanna dei Ripostigli of the Nuragic village of Sant’Imbenia
• Collective burials from the medieval cemetery of San Michele
• Roman necropolis of Monte Carru
• Historic former prison building, beside the church of San Michele

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione permanente: dal Neolitico al Medioevo – Chronological route through thematic sections over two floors, with finds from Alghero and its surroundings and environmental reconstructions.

Founded

2016

Operated by

Fondazione Alghero (Sistema museale della Città di Alghero)

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for teachers accompanying school groups of at least 15 people and for tourist guides with a valid document. The “Alghero Ticket”, a single ticket for the city’s sites, is available (details on the Foundation’s website).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

A goods lift and a stairlift give access to all floors of the building, which was recently redeveloped to improve accessibility. A video in LIS about the museum and the archaeological sites of the area is available on the website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum offers events for families and children, such as the workshops of “Domenica al museo” (Museum Sunday), and a playful educational virtual tour.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the historic centre of Alghero, a few steps from the church of San Michele.

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