Galata Museo del Mare (Maritime Museum)

Museum in Genova

Galata Museo Del Mare; Genova — CC BY-SA 2.0 / Christine Zenino

The Galata Maritime Museum is a key component of the Mu.MA – Maritime and Migrations Museums network, which also includes the monumental “Lanterna” Lighthouse Complex of Genoa, the Pegli Maritime Museum, and the Commenda di Prè (home to the National Museum of Italian Emigration).

Nestled a short distance from Genoa’s Aquarium, the Galata Museum emerged in the late 1990s as a result of an ambitious project that intertwined historical and environmental revitalization efforts within the precincts of the ancient Darsena and the vestiges of the Arsenale della Repubblica. The area’s complete transformation into a visible space has added a captivating allure to the surroundings.

The visitor’s journey unfolds across two distinct segments: the museum’s primary building, housing captivating exhibits, and an open-air park area featuring an archaeological port—a focal point that now graces the museum’s waterfront. Notably, this area hosts the “Nazario Sauro” submarine—the sole one in Italy accessible for exploration “at sea.”

Within the museum’s exhibition halls, scenes are meticulously crafted to offer an immersive backdrop that elevates the significance of the precious artifacts within the collections. Amidst this atmosphere, visitors encounter an array of treasures including paintings, medieval nautical maps, atlases, scientific instruments from ships, detailed models, and more. These pieces spring to life, beckoning the viewer to embark on an authentic voyage of discovery through the annals and imagery of the maritime world. In perfect harmony with its purpose, the museum’s slogan resonates: “Get on board!”

The Galata Museo del Mare (Maritime Museum) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Genova!

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