Museo archeologico nazionale di Reggio Calabria

About the museum

The museum originated in 1882 as the Museo civico di Reggio, housed in the archbishop's palace on the seafront. After the earthquake of 1908 the archaeologist Paolo Orsi, head of the Archaeological Superintendency of Calabria, proposed the construction of a large national museum. The building, designed by Marcello Piacentini, was built between 1932 and 1941; the museum opened to the public in 1959, when the civic collections were merged into the national ones.

After the discovery of the Riace Bronzes in 1972, a few metres deep off Riace Marina, the museum dedicated a section of underwater archaeology to the statues, set up in 1981. Between 2009 and 2016 the building was closed for renovation and extension works, with a covered courtyard and a terrace overlooking the Strait designed by Paolo Desideri; the Bronzes were back on display in December 2013, and the definitive reopening took place on 30 April 2016.

The route is spread over five levels and tells the story of Calabria from its origins to the ancient city, with prehistoric and protohistoric material, the Greek colonies and subcolonies (Locri, Reggio, Medma, Hipponion, Kaulon), coins, the Roman and Byzantine periods and, on the basement level, the underwater section with the Riace Bronzes and the Porticello Bronzes. Access to the Bronzes room is limited for conservation reasons.

Highlights

• Riace Bronzes, two Greek statues of the 5th century BC
• Porticello Bronzes, including the Head of the Philosopher
• Votive pinakes and the Dioscuri of Locri
• Kouros of Reggio and the Lastra Griso-Laboccetta
• Mosaic of the dragon from Kaulon
• Necropolis that can be visited with staff accompaniment

Permanent exhibition

• Collezioni permanenti su cinque livelli – The route runs from the origins of Calabria to the Magna Graecia colonies, to the ancient city beneath the museum and to the section on the Riace Bronzes.

Founded

1882

Operated by

Ministero della Cultura

Director

Carmelo G. Malacrino

Visitors per year

approx. 201,016 (2022)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month, without booking.

Rates in force since 1 July 2024. Free admission also for the categories provided for by D.M. 507/1997. Booking is compulsory for groups and school parties (06 3996 7600). Tickets can be bought at the ticket office until 19:30 or online.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

Entrance with an external ramp and lifts to all exhibition levels. The necropolis is visited with staff accompaniment. A video guide in Italian Sign Language (LIS) is available at the ticket office. To access the Bronzes room it is advisable to tell the ticket office of any specific needs in advance.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the centre of Reggio Calabria, near the Lungomare Falcomatà. By car, follow the signs for “Reggio Calabria Porto” and then for piazza Indipendenza.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Free cloakroom, bookshop and information points.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit