Museo Civico Archeologico delle Acque

About the museum

The museum collects the archaeological materials found in the territory of Chianciano Terme, largely from excavations conducted in recent decades with the support of the local Associazione Geoarcheologica. It is housed in a former granary in the historic centre and was opened in 1997.

The route reconstructs life in the area in the Etruscan and Roman periods through sections on the world of the dead, sanctuaries and religion, dwellings and agriculture, banqueting and the Roman exploitation of the thermal springs. Reconstructed tombs are presented with their grave goods of ceramics and amphorae from the 6th and 5th centuries BC, the city's peak period, along with Hellenistic cinerary urns in alabaster.

The museum holds the largest collection of canopic jars in the world, the Etruscan cinerary vessels with human features from the excavations of the Tolle necropolis, and a monumental terracotta temple pediment from a sacred building in the Astrone valley, dedicated to a deity of health. Some rooms are designed for touch, and the captions are in Braille.

Highlights

• Gallery of Etruscan canopic jars, the largest in the world
• Terracotta pediment of a temple in the Astrone valley
• Reconstructed tombs with grave goods from the 6th and 5th centuries BC
• Hellenistic alabaster cinerary urns and rooms for wine production
• Section on the Roman baths and the springs of Chianciano
• Touch route with Braille captions

Permanent exhibitions

• Il mondo dei morti – Reconstructed tombs with grave goods of ceramics and amphorae from the 6th and 5th centuries BC, and the canopic gallery of the Tolle necropolis.
• I santuari e la religione – Section dedicated to places of worship, with the terracotta pediment of the temple in the Astrone valley.
• Il banchetto e le terme romane – Materials linked to banqueting and to the Roman use of the thermal springs, with villas and bath buildings.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Comune di Chianciano Terme

Admission & discounts

Rates are available for groups of at least 20 people and for school groups. Amounts taken from a 2024 listing; it is advisable to check them before the visit.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is suitable for people with walking difficulties and has a lift. There is a touch route: in some rooms Etruscan ceramics and objects can be touched, and the explanatory plaques are also in Braille.

Kids & families

The museum offers educational activities; in some rooms the objects on display can be touched.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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