National Archaeological Museum of the Marches 🇮🇹

Located inside the magnificent sixteenth-century Palazzo Ferretti in Ancona, Italy, the National Archaeological Museum of the Marches offers you a deep journey through regional history. As you explore its expansive collection, you will encounter artifacts spanning from the Prehistoric Age all the way through the Roman period, carefully preserved despite past wartime bombings and earthquakes. Your visit begins on the second-floor mezzanine Prehistoric section, where you can view ancient Paleolithic instruments from Mount Conero and the 28,000-year-old Frassasi Venus statuette housed in a modern touchscreen glass display case.

Ascending to the third floor, you will discover the Protohistoric section, showcasing the intriguing Picene civilization through rich funerary objects, Orientalizing artifacts, and inscribed stelae. On the first floor, the story continues into the Classical, Celtic, and Roman eras. Here, you can marvel at exquisite Attic pottery from the Numana-Sirolo necropolis, gold jewelry and Celtic weapons, and imported trade goods that highlight ancient Ancona as a vibrant Mediterranean hub.

It is an unmissable destination for history lovers eager to uncover the authentic archaeological heritage of Italy's Marches region.

What to see at National Archaeological Museum of the Marches

• The ancient Frassasi Venus statuette displayed in an interactive touchscreen case
• Picene funerary objects and inscribed stelae from the Protohistoric section
• Exquisite Attic pottery and Etruscan bronze vessels from Numana-Sirolo
• Gold jewelry and weapons from the Celtic Senones tribe
• Roman temple pediments and trade artifacts from ancient Ancona

Visiting tips

Interact with the modern touchscreen showcase in the mezzanine Prehistoric section to get a detailed look at the 28,000-year-old Frassasi Venus.

How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

National Archaeological Museum of the Marches is easy to reach on Ancona’s public transport, and pairs naturally with cathedral Basilica of St. Cyriacus and San Francesco alle Scale. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Ancona travel guide.