Museo Legione II Partica

About the museum

The museum is dedicated to the Second Parthian Legion, created by Emperor Septimius Severus between 196 and 197 AD to fight the Parthians. In 202 AD the legion was stationed at Albano, near Rome, where it had its headquarters: an exceptional choice, since legions normally stood on the frontiers of the empire. It was due to the legion’s role as the emperor’s personal guard and as reinforcement for the garrisons around Rome.

The rooms are located in the area where Caracalla had baths built for the legionaries. The route opens with reconstructions of the equipment and clothing of the legion’s main figures, based on experimental archaeology research, and with finds such as the altar of Cassius Severianus. One room illustrates the monuments of the camp still visible in Albano, such as the Cisternoni, the Porta Pretoria, the baths and the amphitheatre. Other rooms document the daily life of the legionaries with ceramics, amphorae, lamps, coins, weapons and bricks stamped with the legion’s mark.

The last room is devoted to funerary aspects, with sarcophagi and plaster casts of stelae. In a teaching room visitors can touch and wear replicas of military equipment and watch a documentary film on experimental archaeology.

Highlights

• Reconstructions of legionaries’ equipment and clothing
• Altar of Cassius Severianus and other finds from the Castra Albana
• Rooms on the daily life of the legionaries
• Teaching room with replicas to touch and wear
• Documentary film on experimental archaeology

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione permanente sulla Seconda Legione Partica – Reconstructions of equipment, finds from the Castra Albana, sections on daily life and funerary customs, and a teaching room.

Operated by

Comune di Albano Laziale

Admission & discounts

The museum is temporarily closed until further notice.

Accessibility

• Partially 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 museum is partly accessible to people with mobility impairments: the main room is accessible, while the smaller side rooms are not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

In the teaching room visitors can touch and wear replicas of the legionaries’ military equipment.

Getting there & parking

The museum is temporarily closed until further notice.

Amenities & dining

The museum is temporarily closed until further notice.

Events & venue rental

The museum is temporarily closed until further notice.

Plan your visit