Museo Navale Romano, museum in Albenga, Italy
The Museo Navale Romano is a maritime museum in Albenga, housed in the Palazzo Peloso Cepolla from the early 1600s. The collection displays archaeological finds from sunken ships, including clay storage jars, anchors, tools, and ship models that show how Romans sailed and traded across the sea.
The collection started around 1950 after a shipwreck was discovered near the island of Gallinaria from the early 1st century BC. Additional finds came from another wreck near Diano Marina, and ongoing underwater excavations have continued to expand knowledge of Roman maritime practices.
The museum's name reflects Albenga's deep connection to the sea and maritime trade. Visitors can see everyday objects that sailors and merchants used, revealing how important seafaring was to the local economy and way of life.
The museum is located at Piazza San Michele 12 in the old town center and is within walking distance of the port area. It opens Tuesday through Sunday with extended hours in summer and shorter hours in winter, allowing most visitors to see everything comfortably in one to two hours.
The museum also holds a special collection of blue and white ceramic jars from the 1600s to 1800s made in nearby towns like Savona and Albissola. These local pottery pieces reveal that Albenga's maritime history includes not only ancient ships but also the traditions of local craftspeople who created vessels used in daily life and trade.
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