Archeological Museum of Naples

Italy is known throughout the world for its immense heritage of culture, art and archeology. The National Archaeological Museum of Naples is just paradise for lovers of archeology. After all, the history of ancient Greece in Europe begins precisely in these parts. Well, how this area was developed during the ancient Roman Empire is known to everyone. Plus, the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius buried the entire Roman cities like Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabia, but it brought to us a complete picture of life 2000 years ago. The main part of the museum is composed of frescoes, statues, mosaics, objects of everyday life found during the excavation of these cities, but there are also other collections, such as Egyptian, a collection of ancient coins, engraved gems with a unique Farnese Cup Tazza Farnese (sardonyx cameo), a collection of inscriptions, Antient Greece, a collection depicting a prehistoric period, Marbles etc. In no one museum of the world is it possible to find such a rich collection of antique bronze statues (usually bronze and other metalls were melted), most of which were found in the Villa the Papyri. The marble "Farnese bull" or "Dirce's punishment" is the largest antique sculptural composition. But besides it there is a huge handsome Hercules with apples from the gardens of the Hesperides in his hand, the famous "The Doryphoros " or "Spear-Bearer" is the standard of ideal proportions, everyone lingers admiring the beauty of Venus Callipyge. The Alexander Mosaic wonders not only in size, but it is, one among the few examples of the painting of ancient Greece, because it is a copy of the picture of the famous Greek painter Philoxenus of Eretria in mosaic style. Also, there is very interesting collection of everyday use items, it is surprising how elegant were the simple items. Here you can see even the surgeons’ tools, musical instruments, antique beauticase. And the collection of silverware is the unique in the world in its size (in the house of Menander in Pompeii was found a real treasure, 118 items of silverware, weight 84kg,) and artistic value.
The "Secret Cabinet" is unique in its kind, some consider this collection as a real zest of the museum. It was finally opened to visitors only recently, in 2000. The sexually explicit material displayed here tell us how the Romans were understanding the eroticism and sex. The phallus was a symbol of fertility, protecting from evil spirits, was a talisman from the evil eye.
For 2 hours you can see the most important elements of the collections. It is ideal to combine a visit to the museum with a trip to Pompeii, Herculaneum or Oplontis.