Museo archeologico nazionale di Vulci

About the museum

The museum was established in 1975 in the Castello dell'Abbadia, or Castello della Badia, which stands on a cliff above the River Fiora next to the famous bridge. The building dates back to the 9th century, when it was the fortified Benedictine abbey of San Mamiliano; it passed to the Farnese in 1430, served as a customs house of the Papal States, was owned by the Bonapartes and then by the Torlonia, and became state property in 1960. The castle has a trapezoidal plan with six towers.

The collections come from excavations carried out from the 19th century to the early 2000s, mainly in the necropoleises of Vulci, where some 30,000 tombs have been counted, including the famous François Tomb. The finds cover the period from the Iron Age to the 3rd–2nd century BC and are displayed in chronological order over two floors.

The new display, opened in 2016, tells the story of the Etruscan city from its birth, between the 9th and 8th centuries BC, to the Roman conquest of 280 BC. In 2026 the museum is closed for renovation works on the visit route, funded by the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan).

Highlights

• Finds from the Etruscan necropoleises of Vulci
• Chronological route from the Iron Age to the Hellenistic period
• Castello dell'Abbadia above the River Fiora
• Free audio guide via app

Permanent exhibition

• Vulci, dalla nascita alla conquista romana – The 2016 display on the history of the Etruscan city, from the 9th–8th century BC to 280 BC, with grave goods and finds from the necropoleises.

Founded

1975

Operated by

Ministero della Cultura – Direzione regionale Musei nazionali Lazio

Visitors per year

approx. 20,836

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month, 25 April, 2 June and 4 November.

Prices as listed on the website for ordinary opening; no booking required; electronic tickets with the “Musei Italiani” app.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

The route is accessible by lift.

Kids & families

Getting there & parking

According to the website, the museum can only be reached by private transport.

Amenities & dining

Coffee, hot drink, water and snack machines are available.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit