Museo archeologico nazionale di Cagliari
Sardinia’s most important archaeological museum, from prehistory to the Byzantine age, in the Cittadella dei Musei.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum was founded in 1800, when the viceroy Charles Felix had the Gabinetto di archeologia e storia naturale set up in the Palazzo Viceregio; it opened to the public in 1802. The collections passed to the Regia Università in 1805 and grew during the 19th century through donations and excavations; in 1904 they were housed in the former Mint (Zecca) building in Piazza Indipendenza, arranged under the guidance of the superintendent Antonio Taramelli.
Since 1993 the museum has been in the Cittadella dei Musei, in the historic Castello quarter, in spaces designed by the architects Piero Gazzola and Libero Cecchini. The route was conceived on four floors: the first, chronological, presents the main cultures that succeeded one another in Sardinia from the Neolithic to the Byzantine age, including a reconstruction of the tofet of Tharros; two floors illustrate by site the territories of Cagliari and Oristano; the top floor is devoted to temporary exhibitions. Finds come from almost the whole island.
The museum is part of the Musei nazionali di Cagliari together with the Pinacoteca, the Spazio San Pancrazio and other spaces in the Cittadella, and is recognised by UNICEF Italy as a “Museo amico delle bambine, dei bambini e degli adolescenti” (child-friendly museum). Currently the third floor and part of the ground floor are closed for rearrangement works.
Highlights
- Finds from prehistory to the Byzantine age
- Reconstruction of the tofet of Tharros
- Collections from Cagliari, Oristano and other Sardinian sites
- Museum audio guides
- UNICEF recognition as a “Museo amico dei bambini”
- Founded
- 1800
- Operated by
- Musei nazionali di Cagliari (Direzione generale Musei, Ministero della Cultura)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for visitors under 18. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and for a family member or companion. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree for teachers and for students of architecture, cultural heritage, education sciences and humanities with an archaeological or art-historical focus, and of the fine arts academies, with a certificate of enrolment. |
| Groups | –Booking is compulsory for groups (man-ca.prenotazioni@cultura.gov.it). Free admission for groups of EU school students accompanied by teachers, with prior booking. |
| EU young people aged 18 to 25 inclusive | €2The same benefits apply to citizens of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, on a reciprocal basis. |
| Personal annual pass (Museo archeologico and Pinacoteca) | €36Valid for 365 days from activation. |
The single ticket for the Musei nazionali di Cagliari covers the Museo archeologico and the Pinacoteca. Tickets can also be bought with the Musei Italiani app and on the museiitaliani portal. Free admission on particular occasions announced by the Ministero della Cultura. Also free for EU tourist guides and interpreters, ICOM members, Ministry staff, teachers, journalists and other categories provided for.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- 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
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
The Musei nazionali di Cagliari have received from UNICEF Italy the recognition of “Museo amico delle bambine, dei bambini e degli adolescenti” (child-friendly museum).
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Piazza Indipendenza (Torre San Pancrazio)
CTM buses: line 8 (Viale Buoncammino – Polizia stop) and line 10 (same stop) from Piazza Matteotti and Piazza Repubblica; line 7 (Piazza Indipendenza – Torre San Pancrazio stop) from Piazza Yenne; line 6 (Viale Regina Elena – Terrapieno stop) from Viale Regina Margherita.
By car
Parking available
Near the museum there are parking spaces for motorcycles and two disabled parking spaces; the Piazza Indipendenza car parks are reserved for residents. Other parking along Viale Buoncammino; in Viale Regina Elena there is an underground car park with a lift up to Piazza Palazzo.
- Accessible parking
The museum is in the upper part of the Castello quarter, in the Cittadella dei Musei “Giovanni Lilliu”. From Elmas airport the centre can be reached by train in a few minutes; on foot from Piazza Matteotti it takes 25–40 minutes.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum makes its spaces available for events under concession.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The spaces of the Musei nazionali di Cagliari, with views over the gulf, can be rented for events.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| Good to know | Museum audio guides are available. Guided tours by booking (man-ca.informazioni@cultura.gov.it). The third floor and part of the ground floor cannot be visited while rearrangement works are in progress. |
