National Museum of Oriental Art

The National Museum of Oriental Art in Rome was a collection featuring works from diverse Asian regions, including Buddhist sculptures, textiles, ceramics, and metal artifacts ranging from the Middle East to Japan. The pieces came largely from archaeological expeditions to Buddhist sites in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The museum was established in 1957 and opened in 1958, preserving artifacts from archaeological expeditions to Buddhist sites in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The collection was transferred in 2017 to the Pigorini National Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography.

The collections display religious artwork depicting Buddhist and Hindu imagery, alongside everyday objects that reveal the traditions of various Eastern societies.

The original collection is no longer viewable at its former location, as it was transferred to the Pigorini Museum in Rome's EUR district. Visitors should check what pieces are currently on display at the new location.

A substantial portion of the collection consisted of items brought back by Giuseppe Tucci during his expeditions to Nepal, Tibet, and Ladakh between 1928 and 1948. This collecting activity documented an important period of exploration in these remote regions.

Location: Rome

Inception: 1957

Official opening: 1958

Phone: +3906549521

Email: mu-civ@beniculturali.it

Website: http://museorientale.beniculturali.it

GPS coordinates: 41.83246,12.47167

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:42