Villa Giulia, Archaeological museum on the slopes of the Parioli, Rome, Italy
The National Etruscan Museum is housed in Villa Giulia and displays objects from pre-Roman settlements in central Italy. The collection includes pottery, jewelry, bronze objects, and sculptures that document the daily life and craftsmanship of the ancient Etruscans.
The museum was founded in 1889 to preserve archaeological discoveries from excavations in Lazio and Umbria. It emerged during a period of growing research interest in Etruscan civilization and its role before Roman rule.
The villa's name comes from Pope Julius III, who had it built as a summer residence; the nymphaeum's central fountain, the Fontana dell'Acqua Vergine, was designed and sculpted by Vasari and Ammannati with river gods and caryatids. Its water came from a dedicated underground branch of the Acqua Vergine, the same aqueduct that feeds the Trevi Fountain.
A visit is best planned on weekdays when it is less crowded and you can view the pieces more easily. The rooms are well-labeled and simple to navigate, even if you know little about the Etruscans.
One of the key displays shows pieces from the Temple of Veii, including figures that are over 2,600 years old. These terracotta pieces are so well preserved that you can still see individual facial features and folds in the clothing today.
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