Museo Preistorico Nazionale dei Balzi Rossi

About the museum

The museum stands at Grimaldi di Ventimiglia, at the foot of the limestone cliff of the Balzi Rossi, which takes its name from the reddish colour of the rock, and overlooks the sea just before the French border. It was founded in 1898 by Sir Thomas Hanbury and in 1994 it was enlarged and renovated with a new building, in which the present route was set up.

The caves and rock shelters of the site, excavated for more than a century and a half, have yielded numerous animal remains, around twenty burials of Homo sapiens (the so-called “Uomo di Grimaldi”, Grimaldi Man), stone tools, ornaments and the figurines known as the “Veneri dei Balzi Rossi” (Venus figurines of Balzi Rossi); Neanderthals are also attested in the Bombrini shelter. The museum route illustrates the history of the excavations, the various caves and the shelter, and the most recent digs; behind the new building a stratigraphy uncovered during the works remains visible.

The site and the archaeological area are managed by the Direzione regionale Musei nazionali della Liguria of the Ministero della Cultura.

Highlights

• Palaeolithic finds from the Balzi Rossi caves
• Burials of the Grimaldi Man
• Figurines known as the “Veneri dei Balzi Rossi” (Venus figurines)
• Cave area and visible stratigraphy behind the new building

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso museale e area delle grotte – History of the excavations, caves and rock shelter, recent digs and finds from the Upper Palaeolithic.

Founded

1898

Operated by

Direzione regionale Musei nazionali Liguria (Ministero della Cultura)

Visitors per year

approx. 12,841

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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 Musei Italiani entry indicates access for people with disabilities, without further details.

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