An Extraordinary Museum Of Naval Archaeology
The Olbia Archaeological Museum is a naval museum of national importance, where one can admire artefacts from the populations that contributed to the city's history, such as the Phoenicians and Greeks, the Punics and then the Romans, the Vandals, the Byzantines and Constantinople, the Pisans and the Aragonese.
The Archaeological Museum of Olbia is located within walking distance of the historic city centre. The structure designed by G. Maciocco is built on a tiny islet called Peddone and directly faces the sea of the Golfo di Terranoa - Olbia. The museum building is shaped like a ship moored in the harbour, testifying to Olbia's importance as a port city since antiquity. To reach the Archaeological Museum, one crosses a lovely walkway suspended over the sea that leads to the entrance. The museum is spread over two floors, and along the way you can appreciate a complete collection of artefacts that guide the visitor's imagination through all the phases that characterised the history of the city.
Visiting the Olbia Archaeological Museum is a real journey from prehistory to recent history. The visit goes through all the eras that have marked Olbia's history: Phoenician, Punic, Greek, Roman. The tour is rich in information and exhibits from the history of Shardana - Sardinia.
Wreck of a Medieval Ship
At the entrance there is a marble sarcophagus lid dating back to the age of Imperial Rome. In the first part of the visit, one can appreciate authentic ship artefacts, shipwrecks, ship masts and rudders, juxtaposed with life-size reconstructions of some sections of Roman ships with their cargoes and ship's equipment. The Archaeological Museum in Olbia is a very important source of knowledge for fans of ancient navigation methods. It is the museum that exhibits the highest number of ancient ships in Italy with perfectly preserved masts and rudders from the Roman era. The museum also houses the only visible wreck of a medieval ship in the whole of Italy.
The Famous Head of the Statue of Hercules
An extremely valuable find in the Olbia museum is the spectacular head of the statue of Hercules. A complete reconstruction of the statue in original size can be admired in the museum rooms. Along the way, one can admire large models reproducing the Olbia Roman city and its harbour and supporting the exhibits are educational panels, interactive projections and videos, and 3D virtual images of Roman ships. In the rooms on the first floor, one can appreciate exhibits dating back to the pre-Nuragic and Nuragic periods in the area with the display of model anchors and boats, oil lamps, coins, rings and necklaces, statuettes and bronze artefacts.
Opening Hours of the Archaeological Museum
The Olbia Archaeological Museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 8.00 to 13.00 and from 16.00 to 19.00.
Admission to the museum is free of charge, but it is strongly recommended to book visits on +39 0789 28290 or +39 340 3560742 during museum opening hours.
Where to Find the Archaeological Museum
The Olbia Archaeological Museum is about 850 metres walking distance from the flat.
Directions to the Olbia Archaeological Museum
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