Guarnacci Museum, Archaeological museum in Volterra, Italy
The Guarnacci Museum is an archaeological collection in Volterra displaying thousands of Etruscan artifacts, including urns, bronze sculptures, ceramics, and burial objects housed in Palazzo Desideri Tangassi. The holdings come from local excavations and private acquisitions gathered over several centuries.
The museum was founded in 1761 when Abbot Mario Guarnacci donated his archaeological collection and 50,000 books to Volterra, establishing one of Europe's earliest public museums. This act of giving helped preserve the Etruscan heritage that defines the region today.
The collection showcases the largest group of Etruscan urns in Italy, decorated with scenes showing mythology, daily routines, and burial practices. These objects reveal how ancient people here understood death, family, and the afterlife.
Visiting requires comfort with stairs, as the collections spread across multiple floors of the building. Plan to spend half a day or longer to explore the objects at an unhurried pace and appreciate their details.
The collection includes the Ombra della Sera, a bronze figure from the 3rd century BC with an elongated, almost serpentine body. This unusual portrayal is one of the most recognizable Etruscan works and shows their distinct approach to representing the human form.
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