Museo archeologico nazionale di Paestum

About the museum

The Museo archeologico nazionale di Paestum stands in the heart of the ancient Greek and Roman city of Paestum and, since 1952, has housed one of Italy’s main archaeological collections, built up over more than a century of excavations. It is part of the Parchi archeologici di Paestum e Velia.

Among the best-known finds are the Archaic metopes from the sanctuary of Hera at the mouth of the Sele, dating to the 6th century BC, the Tomba del Tuffatore of the 5th century BC and the painted slabs of the Lucanian tombs between the 5th and 4th centuries BC. The museum was renovated and reopened in October 2023.

The displays cover the territory from the Sele river to Agropoli, from prehistory to the modern age: from prehistory and protohistory, with the Gaudo culture, to the Greco-Lucanian city founded around 600 BC, up to Roman Paestum and its rediscovery in the 18th century. The route “Oltre il museo” also offers guided tours of the museum’s storerooms.

Highlights

• Tomba del Tuffatore (5th century BC)
• Archaic metopes from the sanctuary of Hera at the mouth of the Sele
• Painted slabs from the Lucanian tombs
• Guided tours of the museum’s storerooms (“Oltre il museo”)

Permanent exhibitions

• Preistoria e protostoria – Basement section on settlements, craftsmanship and funerary rites, with particular attention to the Gaudo culture.
• La città greco-lucana – The largest section, on the ground and first floors, from the Greek foundation around 600 BC to the decline of Lucanian rule at the beginning of the 3rd century BC.
• Paestum dalla città romana a oggi – On the second floor, sculptures, inscriptions and coins of the Roman city and its later history, up to its rediscovery in the 18th century.

Founded

1952

Operated by

Ministero della Cultura – Parchi archeologici di Paestum e Velia

Director

Tiziana D'Angelo

Visitors per year

approx. 443,743

Admission & discounts

The ticket is valid for three days and includes the archaeological area and museum of Paestum and the archaeological area of Velia; the full rate of €15 applies from March to November. Tickets are sold at the museum ticket office, at the Porta Principale ticket office opposite the Tempio di Nettuno, and at the entrance to Velia.

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

The museum presents itself as a place accessible to all; the website refers to an accessibility statement.

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

• Museum shop

Bookshop; indoor and outdoor spaces for visitors to rest.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit