Museo archeologico nazionale del Sannio Caudino
State museum in the castle of Montesarchio with finds from Caudium, Saticula and Telesia, and the famous Assteas krater with the Abduction of Europa.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo archeologico nazionale del Sannio Caudino opened in 2007 on the first floor of the castle of Montesarchio, a fortress built on a hill above the Valle Caudina and used for military and public order purposes over the centuries, including as a prison. Since 2014 it has been run by the Ministry of Culture, first through the Polo museale della Campania and since 2019 through the Direzione regionale Musei della Campania (Regional Directorate of Museums of Campania).
The display brings together around 300 finds from the Samnite centres of the Caudini: Caudium (today's Montesarchio), Saticula (Sant’Agata de’ Goti) and Telesia (San Salvatore Telesino). The first rooms present the prehistoric landscape of the valley and the necropolises of Caudium, with grave goods dating from the mid-8th to the 3rd century BC.
The best-known section is the one devoted to Attic and Italiote figured vases, especially kraters from tombs of the 5th–4th century BC. The most important piece is the krater by Assteas with the Abduction of Europa (4th century BC). It was recovered after illegal excavation in the necropolis of Sant’Agata de’ Goti and, since December 2024, has been displayed in a new dedicated installation.
Highlights
- Assteas krater with the Abduction of Europa (4th century BC)
- Attic and Italiote figured vases
- Grave goods from the necropolises of Caudium
- Finds from Saticula and Telesia
- Castle of Montesarchio
Permanent exhibitions
- Collezione archeologica del Sannio Caudino – Finds from Caudium, Saticula and Telesia, from prehistory to the Roman period, with grave goods and figured vases.
- Il cratere di Assteas – Installation in two rooms devoted to the krater with the Abduction of Europa.
- Founded
- 2007
- Operated by
- Ministero della Cultura – Direzione regionale Musei nazionali Campania
- Visitors per year
- approx. 14,765
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|
Tickets are bought at the museum ticket office or via the “Musei Italiani” app. The price of €3 comes from the announcement of a past holiday opening and may have changed.
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 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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|
