Museo archeologico nazionale di Arcevia

About the museum

The Museo archeologico nazionale di Arcevia is housed in the historic centre of the town, in rooms adjoining the 13th-century cloister of the San Francesco complex, which also houses the municipal library and the historical archive. On the cloister walls remain 16th-century painted fragments with scenes from the life of Saint Francis of Assisi.

It was inaugurated in 1996 on the initiative of the Archaeological Heritage Authority (Soprintendenza archeologica) for the Marche and the municipal administration, with the function of an area museum: it brings together the materials from the whole Arcevia territory, from the most ancient periods up to the threshold of Romanisation. Since 2004 it has housed the collection of Agostino Monti and Anselmo Anselmi, as well as additions to the grave goods of the Gallic necropolis of Montefortino.

In 2023 the spaces and the narrative were rethought with a new display focused on accessibility: the display cases have captions, texts in Braille and resin copies or experimental archaeology reproductions of some finds. The route, in five spaces, follows the chronological order of the excavation contexts.

Highlights

• Monti Anselmi collection with the results of early research in the territory
• Palaeolithic site of Ponte di Pietra and settlement of Cava Giacometti
• Neolithic defensive ditch of Conelle in the Sala Carnevali
• Bronze Age settlement of Monte Croce Guardia
• Grave goods from the Gallic necropolis of Montefortino di Arcevia
• Display cases with Braille texts and copies to touch

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso archeologico del territorio di Arcevia – Five spaces in chronological order: Monti Anselmi collection, Ponte di Pietra and Cava Giacometti, Conelle and Monte Croce Guardia, Montefortino di Arcevia.

Founded

1996

Operated by

Ministero della Cultura – Direzione regionale Musei nazionali Marche

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on the occasion of “Domenica al museo” (free museum Sunday), for example Sunday 4 October 2026, 14:00–19:00.

Tickets can also be bought online on the museum's website.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Since the 2023 rearrangement, the display cases have captions with Braille texts and resin copies or experimental archaeology reproductions to touch. The museum also runs sensory and cognitive accessibility routes and a tactile workshop, “Sulla punta delle dita” (“At Your Fingertips”).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Educational workshops for schools, groups and families (prehistory, pottery, spinning and weaving, a sensory touch route), lasting 1 hour 30 minutes or 2 hours, booked through the museum.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the historic centre of Arcevia, at Corso Mazzini 64, next to the cloister of San Francesco.

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