Museo della Navigazione nelle Acque Interne
Municipal museum on Lake Bolsena devoted to lake navigation, from the prehistoric dugout canoe to the traditional boats of the lakes of central Italy.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum arose from the discovery, in 1989, of a prehistoric dugout canoe in Lake Bolsena, at the foot of the island of Bisentina. Reaching the opening to the public in 2010 took 21 years of joint work between the Soprintendenza archeologica dell’Etruria meridionale (archaeological heritage authority), the municipality of Capodimonte, which owns the building, and the cooperative Arx, which developed the multimedia content under the supervision of the archaeologist Patrizia Petitti.
The collection includes the canoe, dating between the 14th and 11th centuries BC, and more recent boats from other lakes, such as the Sabatina 22 from Lake Bracciano, the barchino of Lake Fondi, the bbarka of Lake Bolsena and the naue of Posta Fibreno, as well as the wreck of the tile cargo of Punta Zingara. The route illustrates the evolution of boatbuilding in inland waters from the 8th century BC to the 20th century, and the role of navigation for fishing, communications and trade, from both archaeological and anthropological perspectives.
After a period of closure, the museum was reorganised with the aim of restoring its original layout, which included projections, reconstructions with wooden models, dioramas and multimedia rooms. The scientific direction is now entrusted to the underwater archaeologist Giuliana Galli; the building also has a tactile room and a conference hall.
Highlights
- Prehistoric dugout canoe from Lake Bolsena (14th–11th century BC)
- Boats from the lakes of Bracciano, Fondi, Bolsena and Posta Fibreno
- Wreck of the tile cargo of Punta Zingara
- Dioramas and room of naval models
- Tactile room and “Vittorio Fanelli” conference hall
- Founded
- 2010
- Operated by
- Comune di Capodimonte
- Director
- Giuliana Galli (direzione scientifica)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 567
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- 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 has a tactile room; it also takes part in the VELANDO 2 project promoted by the Ministry for Disabilities. The website provides no further information on accessibility.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
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.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | On the last Sunday of each month free guided tours are held with the museum’s director. The regulations and the service charter can be downloaded from the website. |
