National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria

Overlooking the heart of the city, the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria invites visitors to explore thousands of years of history. From early human settlements to Magna Graecia and the Riace Bronzes, the museum reveals the cultural roots of Calabria.

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📍Piazza Giuseppe De Nava, 26, 89123 Reggio Calabria RC

Opening Days and Hours

Tuesday to Sunday: 09:00 – 20:00
Last admission: 19:30
Monday: Closed

Ticket Prices:

Full ticket: €10.00.
Full ticket (exhibition + museum): €13.00
Full ticket (exhibition only): €5.00
Ages 18–25: €2.00
Ages <18: Free admission
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A Gateway to Magna Graecia

The Reggio Calabria Museum guides visitors through ancient civilizations, sacred spaces, and masterpieces that shaped Southern Italy, offering a clear and engaging introduction to Calabria’s archaeological heritage.

Where Design Meets Memory: An Architectural Icon in the City Center

The Reggio Museum rises inside Palazzo Piacentini, an iconic building designed specifically to house archaeological collections. Located on Piazza De Nava, in the historic center of the city, the structure reflects international museum standards. Its rationalist architecture combines monumentality and functionality, creating wide galleries filled with natural light. From the beginning, the reggio calabria museum aimed to tell Calabria’s ancient story in a clear and accessible way. Architecture, archaeology, and urban identity come together to form a cultural space deeply connected to the city.

Ancient Wonders: A Journey from Prehistory to the Classical World

The permanent exhibition of the reggio museum develops across multiple levels, following a chronological and thematic path. The journey begins with Prehistory and Protohistory, presenting tools, ceramics, and ritual objects from caves and early settlements across Calabria. It then moves through the cities and sanctuaries of Magna Graecia, showcasing temples, inscriptions, coins, and votive offerings. Each section is supported by clear panels and multimedia tools that help visitors understand social structures, beliefs, and daily life. The exhibition creates a continuous narrative that reflects the evolution of human presence in the region.

The Heart of the Museum

At the core of the Reggio Calabria Museum lies an emotional and symbolic space, where exceptional artworks and archaeological contexts reveal the soul of ancient Calabria and its enduring legacy.

The Riace Bronzes: Timeless Icons of Ancient Greek Artistry

The undisputed highlight of the reggio museum is the permanent display of the Riace Bronzes. These two life-sized Greek statues, dating to the 5th century BCE, were discovered in the sea near Riace in 1972. Celebrated worldwide for their realism and anatomical perfection, they represent the highest level of classical bronze sculpture. Today, the statues are housed in a dedicated, climate-controlled gallery designed to ensure their preservation. Their presence alone makes the reggio calabria museum one of the most important archaeological destinations in Italy.

Ancient Echoes, Modern Visions: A Living Journey Through History

Beyond the Bronzes, the museum hosts lapidary collections, Roman and Greek inscriptions, funerary objects, and remains of an ancient necropolis discovered during construction. A full level is dedicated to temporary exhibitions, ensuring continuous cultural renewal. After a major renovation completed in 2016, the reggio museum reopened with modern technologies, interactive displays, and a luminous central atrium. Today, it functions as a dynamic cultural hub, welcoming scholars, travelers, and history lovers while preserving the collective memory of Calabria’s past.

The 7 Wonders of Reggio Calabria

Reggio Calabria is a city where history, culture and breathtaking landscapes blend together. These seven wonders represent the true soul of the city, suspended between the sea, ancient civilizations and timeless beauty.