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National Archaeological Museum of Umbria: A Journey Through Time

Explore Umbria's ancient past through Etruscan and Roman artifacts at Perugia's National Archaeological Museum.

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Housed in the former Dominican convent of San Domenico, the National Archaeological Museum of Umbria in Perugia showcases a rich collection of artifacts from the Paleolithic, Bronze, and Iron Ages, offering a glimpse into the region's ancient past. Explore Umbrian and Etruscan civilizations through a variety of exhibits, including the famous Cippo di Perugia and the Cai Cutu tomb reconstruction.

A brief summary to National Archaeological Museum of Umbria

  • Tuesday 8:30 am-7:30 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am-7:30 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am-7:30 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am-7:30 pm
  • Saturday 8:30 am-7:30 pm
  • Sunday 8:30 am-7:30 pm

Local tips

  • Allocate at least 2 hours to fully explore the museum's extensive collection.
  • Visit the former cloister to view Hellenistic funerary urns; this area is accessible without a ticket.
  • Descriptions are primarily in Italian, so consider using a translation app.
  • Check out the museum's official website for temporary exhibitions and events.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The National Archaeological Museum of Umbria is located in the old town center. From Piazza IV Novembre, walk along Corso Vannucci, then turn right onto Piazza Giordano Bruno. The museum will be on your right. Walking from Piazza IV Novembre takes approximately 5 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    The National Archaeological Museum of Umbria can be reached by bus. The nearest bus stop is Tre Archi, about 200 meters from the museum on Corso Cavour. Bus lines 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13s, 13d, 15, 81, 82, 83, 87, bis28, bis31, bis33, bis34, bis39, bis41, bis44, and bis50 stop at Tre Archi. A single ticket costs €1.50 and is valid for 70 minutes.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are available throughout Perugia for direct transport to the museum. A taxi ride from Perugia Station to the museum, approximately 3.4 km, costs about €7-€9. The base fare is €4.00, plus €1.10 per kilometer.

  • Parking

    Several parking options are available near the National Archaeological Museum of Umbria. Car parks equipped with pedestrian routes or escalators are Mercato Coperto, Briglie di Braccio, Piazza Partigiani, Viale Pellini and Piazzale Europa. Parking Saba Mercato Coperto is the closest to the historic center and charges €2.40 per hour. Parking Saba Piazzale Europa charges €1.40 per hour. Upon advance notice, it is possible to drive to the cloister with your own car and park there for the duration of the visit.

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Discover more about National Archaeological Museum of Umbria

The National Archaeological Museum of Umbria, also known as MANU, is located in the architectural complex of San Domenico in Perugia. The museum's collection began with a donation in 1790 and has since expanded to include a wide array of Paleolithic, Aeneolithic, Etruscan, and Roman artifacts. The museum's exhibits are arranged chronologically, guiding visitors from prehistory through the Roman period. The prehistorical section uses interactive displays to trace human origins. The museum compares the Umbrian and Etruscan civilizations, highlighting their similarities. One section is dedicated to the city of Perugia, tracing its founding and development from the 11th to the 8th centuries BC into the Roman era. Key highlights include the Cippo di Perugia, the longest Etruscan inscription ever found, and the Cai Cutu tomb reconstruction, which features fifty urns in the typical Perugian style. The museum also displays African and ethnic pieces collected by Perugian naturalist Orazio Antinori. The former cloister displays items from Perugian necropoleis and pieces from the Roman period. The museum is housed in the former Dominican monastery founded in 1233. Over time, the complex served as a military building under Napoleonic rule and later as a place of refuge during World War II before becoming a museum in 1948.

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