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Civic Archaeological Museum: Unearthing Milan's Ancient Past

Explore Milan's ancient roots at the Civic Archaeological Museum, housed in a historic monastery showcasing artifacts from Roman to medieval times.

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The Civic Archaeological Museum of Milan, housed in the former Monastero Maggiore, offers a glimpse into the city's Roman and medieval history. Explore artifacts from Mediolanum (ancient Milan), Greek, Etruscan, and Gandhara cultures within the walls of an 8th-century AD convent.

A brief summary to Civic Archaeological Museum

  • Tuesday 10 am-5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-5:30 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-5:30 pm
  • Friday 10 am-5:30 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-5:30 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-5:30 pm

Local tips

  • Visit on Tuesdays from 2 PM for free admission.
  • Explore the remains of the Roman house, imperial palace and city walls within the museum complex.
  • Don't miss the Gandhara Art section in the basement, showcasing art from the region between India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Milano Centrale Station, take the M2 subway line (green line) to Cadorna FN M2. From there, it's a short walk along Corso Magenta to the museum. A single ticket costs €2.20 and is valid for 90 minutes.

  • Walking

    From the Duomo, walk northwest along Via Orefici, then turn onto Via Magenta. Continue along Corso Magenta; the museum will be on your left. The walk is approximately 15-20 minutes. No costs are involved.

  • Taxi/Ride-share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available throughout Milan. A short trip from the city center to the museum will cost approximately €7-€10, depending on traffic.

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Discover more about Civic Archaeological Museum

Located on Corso Magenta, the Civic Archaeological Museum of Milan invites visitors to explore the city's rich history from Roman times through the Middle Ages. The museum is situated in the former convent of the Monastero Maggiore di San Maurizio, founded in the 8th century AD. The location itself bears historical significance, with remains of a Roman house, an imperial palace, the city walls, and a Roman circus visible within the museum complex. The museum's collection showcases artifacts from various ancient cultures. The first part of the museum is dedicated to the history of Mediolanum (ancient Milan), which was founded in the 4th century BC and conquered by the Romans in 222 BC. Visitors can discover remarkable masterpieces of art, including the Trivulzio's cup, a rare example of intact diatret glass from Roman times, the patera from Parabiago, a beautiful example of silverware from the late Roman Empire, and art from Gandhara, the region between India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The museum also boasts a numismatic collection of Greek, Italian, and Etruscan masterpieces. The museum's collections are exhibited in different rooms depending on their cultural context. The ground floor features the Milano Antica section, while the basement houses the Gandhara Art section and the Abitare section in Mediolanum. The inner cloister displays epigraphs of ancient Milanese alongside remains of Roman Milan. The new wing contains sections dedicated to Caesarea Maritima (Israel), the early Middle Ages, Etruscan artifacts, and ancient Greece. Parts of the museum's collection, including the prehistoric and Egyptian sections, are located in the Visconti rooms of the Castello Sforzesco.

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