Museo nazionale di archeologia subacquea dell'Alto Adriatico

About the museum

The museum, inaugurated on 18 December 2025, overlooks the seafront of Grado and houses the Iulia Felix, a Roman-age merchant ship brought back to light after two thousand years. The restoration and display project was coordinated by the General Directorate for Museums of the Ministry of Culture and by the Museo storico e Parco del Castello di Miramare – Regional Directorate of National Museums of Friuli Venezia Giulia.

The ship was discovered in 1986 a short distance from the coast and recovered through a complex excavation and restoration operation. In the first half of the 2nd century AD it carried fish products made in the territory of Aquileia, from whose port it was in transit when it sank.

The exhibition route tells the story of the trade network of the Upper Adriatic in Roman times, centred on the great port system of Aquileia. The wooden hull has been reassembled on a large steel support; around it are displayed the cargo, with over 600 amphorae from across the Mediterranean, fish remains and thousands of fragments of recycled glass, together with the crew’s belongings and the ship’s equipment.

Highlights

• Wooden hull of the Iulia Felix, a Roman ship of the 2nd century AD
• Over 600 amphorae from the cargo, arranged as in the hold
• Fish remains and fragments of recycled glass
• Crew’s belongings and ship’s equipment
• Multimedia installations on the coastal landscapes of the ancient Upper Adriatic

Permanent exhibition

• La Iulia Felix e il commercio nell'Alto Adriatico romano – Route with the reassembled hull of the Roman ship Iulia Felix, surrounded by the cargo of amphorae and the crew’s belongings, and an introductory section on the trade network linked to Aquileia.

Founded

2025

Operated by

Direzione regionale Musei nazionali Friuli Venezia Giulia (Ministero della Cultura)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month and other free days set by the Ministry of Culture (25 April, 2 June, 4 November)

Tickets are bought at the museum only from the automatic ticket machine with card payment, or online at museitaliani.it. Admission is included in the FVGcard and the FVGcard Aquileia & Grado of PromoTurismoFVG.

Accessibility

• 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 route is designed to welcome all visitors, with fully accessible spaces and multimedia content.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum overlooks the seafront of Grado, at Via dei Provveditori 14.

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