Parco archeologico del Forcello

About the museum

The Forcello Archaeological Park lies at San Biagio, a hamlet of Bagnolo San Vito, above the remains of an important Etruscan settlement discovered in the 1960s and 1970s by local enthusiasts. It was later recognised by Professor Raffaele De Marinis as the first Etruscan settlement identified north of the Po, thanks to inscriptions in the Etruscan language and alphabet and to materials from everyday life.

The settlement, spread over about 12 hectares on a rise in the Mincio basin, was chosen by the Etruscans because boats sailing up the Adriatic and the Po could moor there. For about 150 years it was an important centre of trade with Greece and Central Europe; it was abandoned around 388 BC, at the time of the arrival of Celtic tribes in northern Italy. Excavations by the Università degli Studi di Milano, under way since 1981, have uncovered a small part of the settlement, with a long stratigraphic sequence in nine main phases.

Today the park makes the results of the research accessible to the public, with educational workshops for schools and experimental reconstructions, such as the kilns for firing ceramics and the Casa dei pesi da telaio, a full-size copy of an Etruscan dwelling excavated in the 1980s. During open periods of the dig, visitors can watch archaeologists at work and the cataloguing of finds.

Highlights

• Remains of the northernmost known Etruscan-Padan settlement
• Casa dei pesi da telaio, full-size reconstruction
• Experimental kilns for firing ceramics
• Excavations by the Università degli Studi di Milano
• Educational experimental archaeology workshops
• Self-guided visit with app and beacon devices

Operated by

SAP Società Archeologica srl (gestione); promotori Comune di Bagnolo San Vito e Università degli Studi di Milano

Visitors per year

approx. 2,465

Admission & discounts

Free admission for two accompanying adults per group or class, and for EXARC and ICOM members.

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 park is accessible to people with disabilities. To cover the distance between the car park and the entrance, a protected transport service can be requested free of charge. The park app has a voice synthesis feature for blind and partially sighted visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Experimental archaeology and dig-simulation workshops for schools; experimental reconstructions and demonstration events for adults and children.

Getting there & parking

Exit A22 at Mantova Sud, then follow the brown signs “Parco archeologico Forcello” towards Mantua; after the hamlet of San Biagio and the roundabout, turn right into Via Valle. From the car park the park can be reached on foot in 10 minutes along an asphalt cycle path in the Parco del Mincio nature reserve.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available

There is no bar, but coffee, tea and drinks can be bought at the ticket office. Two large covered structures serve as a rest and picnic area (to be mentioned when booking); for groups and school parties, meals can be arranged in cooperation with the ACLI La Baracca restaurant in San Biagio.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit