Museo del Papiro «Corrado Basile»
The only museum in Italy dedicated to papyrus, in the former convent of Sant'Agostino in Ortigia, with ancient papyri, papyrus boats and a herbarium.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum was founded in 1987 by Corrado Basile and Anna Di Natale and is run by the Istituto internazionale del papiro (International Papyrus Institute), a non-profit cultural institution. It is named after Basile, a scholar from Syracuse known internationally for restoring papyri.
It is housed in the former convent of Sant'Agostino in Ortigia and displays papyri from the 15th century BC to the 8th century AD, the largest collection of papyri in Sicily and, as far as is known, in southern Italy. The route also includes papyrus fragments and wooden objects charred by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79, papyri made in Syracuse from the 18th century onwards, papyrus objects such as containers, sandals, ropes and mats, papyrus boats from Ethiopia and Lake Chad, writing tools and a herbarium of papyrus umbels.
The institute promotes the study, conservation and dissemination of papyrus culture, the protection of the plant and of the environment of the Ciane river, and conferences on Egyptology and papyrology.
Highlights
- Papyri from the 15th century BC to the 8th century AD
- Fragments and objects charred by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79
- Papyrus boats from Ethiopia and Lake Chad
- Papyri made in Syracuse since the 18th century
- Herbarium of papyrus umbels
Permanent exhibition
- Collezione permanente di papiri – Ancient papyri, papyrus objects and boats, papyri made in Syracuse, writing tools and a herbarium.
- Founded
- 1987
- Operated by
- Istituto internazionale del papiro
- Visitors per year
- approx. 20,000
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The website presents an educational project for schools (“Didattica” section). |
