Museo archeologico regionale Antonino Salinas
The oldest museum in Sicily, with archaeological collections from prehistory to the Middle Ages and the famous metopes of the temples of Selinunte.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo Salinas is housed in the Padri Filippini complex at the Olivella, dating from the 17th century, which also includes the church of Sant'Ignazio and the Oratorio di San Filippo Neri. Founded in 1814 as the University Museum, it became a national museum in 1860 and took its name from the archaeologist and numismatist Antonino Salinas. Over time the building underwent various modernisation and restoration works, until its reopening in 2016.
The collections tell the story of western Sicily from prehistory to the Middle Ages, with prehistoric, Phoenician, Etruscan, Greek and Roman finds that document the island's different civilisations. The heart of the display is the room that has housed the metopes of the temples of Selinunte for over 150 years, among the most important examples of Greek sculpture in the West, now enriched by a selection of architectural terracottas that preserve the vividness of their original colours. The museum is run by the Regione Siciliana, while public services are entrusted by concession to CoopCulture.
Highlights
- Metopes of the temples of Selinunte
- Polychrome architectural terracottas
- Prehistoric, Phoenician, Greek and Roman finds from western Sicily
- Seventeenth-century Padri Filippini complex at the Olivella
- Downloadable audio guide with the AudioCulture app
Permanent exhibition
- Collezioni archeologiche permanenti – Route from prehistory to the Middle Ages with Phoenician, Greek, Etruscan and Roman finds and the room of the Selinunte metopes.
- Founded
- 1814
- Operated by
- Regione Siciliana
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4European Union citizens aged 18 to 25 and FAI members |
| Combined ticket Museo Salinas, Orto Botanico and Museo Doderlein | €13 |
| Palermo Culture Pass (Museo Salinas, Orto Botanico, Palazzo Steri-Chiaramonte and Museo Riso), valid for one week | €29.60 |
Free admission in the cases provided for by law. There are also combined tickets with the main Sicilian archaeological sites (Valle dei Templi, Segesta, Selinunte), which include the museum.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- 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 CoopCulture website lists the museum as accessible.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Roma–Poste / Cavour
From the Stazione Centrale, line 101 to the Roma–Poste stop; from Palermo Notarbartolo station, lines 102 and 103 to the Cavour stop.
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Bookshop and café are listed.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Audio guide downloadable with the AudioCulture app; individual visits scheduled, in Italian and English; groups by reservation (tour@coopculture.it) and educational activities for schools by reservation (edu@coopculture.it). Call centre 091 7489995, Monday to Sunday, 9:00 to 17:00. |
