Located in the heart of Rome, more precisely in Villa Giulia and near Villa Poniatowski, the National Etruscan Museum, also known as ETRU, is one of the most beloved tourist destinations and a great way to fully immerse oneself in Etruscan and Falician history.
Let’s discover something more about the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia and why you should visit it during a tour of Rome.
Villa Giulia’s transformation into a Museum
Villa Giulia was originally built in 1551 for Pope Julius III, hence the name, and it was designed by Jacopo Barozzi, Bartolomeo Ammannati and Giorgio Vasari. The building was turned into a Museum in 1889 and it nowadays houses some of the most important relics belonging to Ancient Rome, Etruria and Umbria, painting a clear picture of Etruscan culture and traditions at the time.
The Exhibition at Villa Giulia
As previously mentioned, the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia is filled with relics and works of art that belonged to ancient Romans, Etruscans, Falician and even some originally Greek pieces of art that were found on Etruscan lands. The Museum’s exhibition is done in chronological and topographical order.
Here’s a list of some of the most important treasures that are housed in this Museum:
- The Tita Vendía Vase (620 – 600 BC): An ancient wine container made of ceramic;
- The Apollo of Veii (510 – 500 BC): A terracotta statue of an Etruscan man named Apollo;
- The Centaur of Vulci (590 – 580 BC): A statue representing a Greek Mythology character named “Centaur”;
- The Euphronios Krater (515 BC): A terracotta bowl that was used to mix wine with water;
In this Museum, you will also be able to find the jewelry collection of Barberini, Pesciotti and Castellani.
Opening hours for your visit to Villa Giulia Museum
The National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 09:00 AM to 08:00 PM and it’s closed on Mondays.
Conclusion
If you want to get to know more about the Etruscan culture, visiting the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia is perfect for you! Find out more about the city of Rome and Italy in general by checking out our blogs and booking a private tour with us!
