From the National Archaeological Museum to the Pompeii Excavations, from the Royal Palace of Caserta to Villa Floridiana, Campania offers a wealth of museums to explore—each with its own unique charm, stories to tell, and masterpieces to admire.
A Selection of Museums in Campania
Here’s a look at some of the most interesting museums in Campania, with a special focus on some of the lesser-known ones that hold exceptional works of art and science. These museums reflect the region’s historic greatness and its rich traditions, which have made it famous around the world.
National Archaeological Museum of Naples
Regarded as Italy’s most important archaeological museum, it houses a collection of Greek, Roman, and Renaissance antiquities in a 16th-century palace. Don’t miss the mosaic collection and the Secret Cabinet, filled with Roman artifacts from Pompeii. Audio guides are available at the entrance for a deeper understanding of the artworks and Pompeii’s history.
Bourbon Tunnel in Naples
Walk through the underground Bourbon Tunnel, originally built to connect the Royal Palace with army barracks and later used as a WWII air-raid shelter. In the 16th century—300 years before King Ferdinand II commissioned it as a military passage—it was used to store the city’s water supply. Today, you can still see water tanks, vintage cars, motorcycles, and discarded fascist statues.
Sansevero Chapel
A true gem of art and science, this chapel holds nearly 30 significant works of art, including three late-Baroque sculptures. Raimondo di Sangro, a brilliant scientist, rebuilt and decorated it using his own marble-like substance. Its most famous piece is the Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sanmartino—a baroque masterpiece. The chapel also houses anatomical models showing skeletons with wax, silk, and wire arteries and veins. Online reservations are now required due to Covid-19 regulations.
Museum and Royal Park of Capodimonte
Set in an 18th-century royal palace, this museum contains major works by Masaccio, Titian, Raphael, El Greco, and Bruegel, including the vast Farnese collection. Before entering, stroll through the surrounding park, once a royal hunting ground. Inside, you’ll find one of the richest collections of Neapolitan art, dating back to the 13th century.
Paper Museum in Amalfi
This museum is housed in a 13th-century paper mill, where you can learn about the history of paper and how it was traditionally made. The mill still uses original machinery. Visitors can try making their own paper sheets and see the cotton and wood pulp process. Before you leave, stop by the shop to purchase beautifully designed stationery.
Church of Monteoliveto (Sant’Anna dei Lombardi), Naples
Famous for its Renaissance art, it features works by Benedetto da Maiano and Antonio Rossellino, along with Giorgio Vasari’s frescoes. Don’t miss The Lamentation over the Dead Christ, a sculptural group by Guido Mazzoni. Guided visits are organized by the social cooperative ParteNeapolis.
Museum of the Treasure of San Gennaro
Dedicated to Naples’ patron saint, this museum showcases over 21,000 precious objects. Cultural tourism events and guided tours reveal the city’s secrets and its saint’s legacy. San Gennaro is even featured in a mobile app that allows global devotees to light virtual candles and send prayers.
Villa Pignatelli, Naples
Located near the seaside promenade, this elegant villa once belonged to the Rothschild and Pignatelli Cortes families. Known for its opulence, the villa features grand columns, gardens, and a ballroom. Inside, you’ll find valuable porcelain collections and decorative art. Be sure to visit the remarkable Carriage Museum behind the villa.
Church of Saints Philip and James – Silk Art Museum Complex
Inside this church, you’ll explore the rich history of Naples’ silk trade. The tour reveals 16th-century frescoes, an 18th-century wooden sacristy, a crypt with graves of silk guild members, and archaeological remains in the courtyard. This visit revives Naples’ title as the Silk City.
Ignazio Cerio Museum, Capri
This museum was founded by island doctor Ignazio Cerio in the 19th century and officially opened to the public in 1949. It includes four rooms: geology and paleontology, prehistory and protohistory, zoology and botany, and archaeology—with over 20,000 natural and archaeological artifacts collected in Capri. A must-see for anyone interested in natural sciences and prehistory.
