Museo nazionale di archeologia del mare
State museum in Caorle with finds from the Bronze Age to the modern era and an interactive route on the Napoleonic brig Mercurio.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
In 1992 divers located the wreck of a Roman ship of the 2nd century BC off Caorle, and in 1995 the military brig “Mercurio” was discovered, sunk in the battle of Grado on 22 February 1812. The underwater campaigns of the following years, including the stratigraphic excavations carried out from 2004 to 2011 in the area of the Mercurio, gave rise to the idea of a national museum of maritime archaeology.
The museum is housed in the early 20th-century buildings of the former Chiggiato farm, at Sansonessa, on the edge of Caorle. After restoration work begun in 2008, it was inaugurated on 8 August 2014 and is now run by the Direzione regionale Musei of the Ministry of Culture.
On the first floor are the most significant finds from Caorle and the surrounding territories, from the protohistoric village of San Gaetano to the Portus Reatinum mentioned by Pliny, up to the modern era. On the ground floor an interactive display with video, virtual reality, full-scale reconstructions and an antique cannon tells the story of the Mercurio and allows a virtual immersion in the excavation area. In the courtyard is a trabaccolo, a typical Adriatic boat.
Highlights
- Finds from the Bronze Age to the modern era
- Interactive route on the brig Mercurio (1812)
- Virtual reality and virtual immersion in the excavation area
- Historic cannon and full-scale reconstructions
- Trabaccolo (traditional Adriatic boat) in the courtyard
Permanent exhibition
- TerredAcque e il brick Mercurio – First floor with finds from Caorle and its surroundings; ground floor with the interactive display on the brig Mercurio.
- Founded
- 2014
- Operated by
- Ministero della Cultura – Direzione regionale Musei nazionali Veneto
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2EU citizens aged 18 to 25 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for under-18s. |
| Special event ticket | €4 |
| Combined ticket (Museo di Caorle, Museo nazionale Concordiese di Portogruaro, Area archeologica di piazza Costantini in Concordia Sagittaria, Museo archeologico nazionale di Altino) | €15Reduced €7.50 for EU citizens aged 18 to 25 |
Free admission also for teaching staff, on ticket-free days and in the other cases provided for. Tickets can also be bought with the Musei italiani app and on the portal portale.museiitaliani.it (support +39 06 8757 0182, every day 09:00–17:30).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Interactive stations, guided tours and educational workshops make the museum suitable for families and schools.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Ecopark car park in via F. Gallini, with a pedestrian route to the museum.
The pedestrian entrance is by the small roundabout next to the Ponte Saetta bridge.
Get directionsAmenities & 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 |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours on request for groups and school classes; educational programme with workshops (bookings +39 352 044 4582). A printed guide (2023 edition) and an audio guide on izi.travel are available. |
