Museo archeologico nazionale di Cosa

About the museum

The museum stands within the Cosa archaeological park, on the Ansedonia promontory, and was built in 1981 above the perimeter walls of a Roman house. It arose from a collaboration between the Italian State and the American Academy in Rome, which chose the ancient Latin colony of Cosa as its preferred site for research. At first it had just one room, dedicated to the most significant finds, mainly from the Arx, the Forum and private houses.

With the extension of 1997 the exhibition area doubled: one new room concerns the harbour, trade and the finds from the necropolis around the city, another the later phases, which document the use of the site until at least the 15th century. The route also includes material from the centuries after the abandonment of the city, the transformation of the Arx into a military garrison between the 5th and 6th centuries AD and the medieval castle, linked to the Abbazia delle Tre Fontane in Rome. Particularly interesting are the terracotta decorations of the temples of the Arx and the ceramic, glass, metal and ivory objects of domestic life.

The colony was founded by the Romans in 273 BC to control the territory of Vulci, which had just been taken from the Etruscans, and was defended by Cyclopean walls with imposing gates. The itinerary of the archaeological park passes the Casa dello Scheletro and the Casa di Diana, a large thermal complex and the Forum, and climbs along the Via Sacra to the Arx with its main temples and a view over the Argentario and the tombolos of the Giannella and the Feniglia.

Highlights

• Terracotta decorations from the temples of the Arx
• Finds from the harbour, trade and necropolis
• Ceramics, glass, metals and ivories from domestic life
• Archaeological park with the Forum, baths and Casa di Diana
• View over the Argentario from the Arx

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione archeologica di Cosa – Finds from the Arx, the Forum, the harbour, the necropolis and the houses of Cosa, from the Roman foundation in 273 BC to the Middle Ages.

Founded

1981

Operated by

Parchi archeologici della Maremma (Ministero della Cultura)

Visitors per year

approx. 13,933

Admission & discounts

The €2 ticket covers the museum; admission to the archaeological park is free. Reductions and free admissions follow the rules for state museums; free admission for holders of a Disability card.

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: no information
• Audio description: no information

For the archaeological park, access is possible by contacting the staff (pa-maremma@cultura.gov.it, +39 0564 881421).

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

On holidays and special anniversaries, educational activities for adults and children are organised; information and bookings at the park's contact details.

Getting there & parking

The site is on Via delle Ginestre, in the locality of Ansedonia; the entrance to the park and the museum is the Porta Fiorentina.

Amenities & dining

Free maps are available at the ticket office.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit