The Regional Archaeological Museum

If you love to explore, reflect, and understand, then the Regional Archaeological Museum of Palermo is just the place to satisfy your curiosity. It’s been housed in the former Olivella convent since 1866, and features a remarkable collection that traces Sicilian history from prehistory all the way to Roman times.

As you move through the exhibits, you’ll uncover the culture and craftsmanship of the many peoples who once lived on, or ruled over, the island. By studying these ancient civilisations, you’ll begin to piece together how people lived, what they believed, and how their choices shaped the world we know today. Looking back is often the best way to understand the present, and imagine the future. Marine excavation relics, sarcophagi, Greek sculptures, the list goes on and on.

Since 1977, the museum has been named after archaeologist Antonio Salinas, who directed the institution in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It’s definitely worth a visit, both for the richness of its collections and the peaceful atmosphere of the place. Among the highlights, you’ll find ancient bronze artefacts, some dating back to the 10th century BC, and a beautiful terracotta bathtub from the 3rd century BC.

For the bold among you, there’s even a real Bronze Age skull on display. The museum’s crown jewel has to be the famed “Palermo Stone”, a fragment of a stele from the Temple of Memphis, one of ancient Egypt’s most important religious sites. It’s definitely worth a visit, both for the richness of its collections and the peaceful atmosphere of the place. Entry is affordable, and sometimes even free on special days.