National Archaeological Museum, Ferrara

Museum in Ferrara

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Palickap

The National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara, housed in the elegant Renaissance Palazzo Costabili, offers a fascinating journey through the history of the ancient city of Spina. Once a flourishing port between the 6th and 3rd centuries B.C., Spina was a wealthy and cosmopolitan centre linking northern Italy with the wider Mediterranean world. Its story, forgotten for centuries after being submerged by the Po Delta, makes this museum one of the top attractions in Ferrara for visitors with an interest in archaeology.

The rediscovery of Spina's necropolises in the early 20th century, followed by major excavations, revealed thousands of graves filled with extraordinary artifacts. Many items show strong Greek influence, especially those related to symposium culture, demonstrating close cultural ties between Spina and Athens. Today, the museum is a great place to visit on a walking tour of Ferrara, offering a unique blend of art, mythology, and historical insight.

History and Significance of the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara
Things to See and Do in the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara
How to Get to the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara
Practical Tips on Visiting the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara
Where to Stay close to the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara
Is the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara
Nearby Attractions to the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara

History and Significance of the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara

Palazzo Costabili, the museum’s home, is itself a Renaissance masterpiece traditionally associated with Ludovico il Moro. Its impressive architecture provides a fitting backdrop for the story of Spina, one of the most important archaeological discoveries in northern Italy.

Spina thrived as a major Adriatic port, channelling goods from the Aegean, northern Europe, and the African coast. The city’s wealth came from this active trade network, and the Greeks went so far as to consider the people of Spina as fellow citizens. The rediscovery of the necropolises during early 20th-century land reclamation changed archaeological understanding of the Po Delta, revealing a sophisticated community with strong cultural and economic connections across the Mediterranean.

Later excavations identified the location of the city itself, providing further insight into Spina's urban layout, daily life, and eventual decline. The museum preserves this story by grouping artifacts according to the burial grounds where they were found, allowing visitors to understand the context of each discovery. This thoughtful organisation makes the museum one of the best places to visit in Ferrara for anyone fascinated by ancient cultures.

Things to See and Do in the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara

One of the most striking elements of the museum is its extensive collection of Attic symposium vases. These large Greek vessels, many decorated with scenes from daily life, mythology, and the Trojan War, highlight the artistic prestige of Spina’s elite. Their presence in such numbers clearly demonstrates the city’s close relationship with the Greek world.

Complementing the vases are numerous Etruscan bronze items, including candelabras, tripods, and stands that speak to the practical and ceremonial aspects of life in Spina. Many of these objects retain exquisite detail, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship.

The museum’s layout, arranged by burial sites, allows visitors to follow the findings from specific necropolises, exploring how social status, trade, and ritual practices varied across different areas. The setting in Palazzo Costabili adds another layer of beauty, with Renaissance courtyards and frescoes making the visit both educational and atmospheric.

How to Get to the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara

The closest major airport is Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, which offers domestic and international flights and is less than an hour from Ferrara. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Ferrara on Booking.com.

Ferrara's railway station has frequent train connections with Bologna, Venice, Padua, and Ravenna, making train travel an easy and efficient option. Use Omnio to easily compare schedules, book train tickets, and find the best prices all in one place for a hassle-free journey across Italy.

If travelling by car, parking is available around the outskirts of the historic centre, from where it is a short walk to the museum. If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara

Strong Best time to visit the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara: Spring and autumn offer comfortable temperatures and quieter galleries.
Strong Entrance fee in Euros: Usually around 6-10 EUR depending on exhibitions.
Strong Opening hours: Typically open daily except Mondays; seasonal variations apply.
Strong Official website: Search “Museo Archeologico Ferrara official site” for updated information.
Strong How long to spend: At least 90 minutes to explore the collections in depth.
Strong Accessibility: The museum offers good accessibility, with lifts and adapted routes in many areas.
Strong Facilities: Restrooms, a bookshop, and information services are available.
Strong Photography tip: The Attic vases photograph best under soft gallery lighting; avoid reflections by adjusting angle.
Strong Guided tours: Audio guides and occasional guided tours are offered.
Strong Nearby food options: Several cafés and trattorias are located along Via XX Settembre and nearby streets.

Where to Stay close to the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara

Staying near the museum places you close to Ferrara’s Renaissance quarter. For classic comfort, Hotel Annunziata is a highly regarded option near the city’s main sites. For a touch of historic charm, consider Duchessa Isabella Collection, set in a Renaissance building with elegant interiors. A modern and convenient choice is Hotel Touring, situated between the station and the historic centre.

Is the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara Worth Visiting?

Absolutely - the museum is one of the must-see places in Ferrara for anyone interested in the ancient world. Its extraordinary collection of Greek and Etruscan artifacts, combined with the dramatic story of Spina's rediscovery, makes it both educational and inspiring. The elegant setting in Palazzo Costabili only enhances the experience.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (1,361)

National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara, on Via XX Settembre 122, displays finds from the ancient Etruscan settlement and necropolis of Spina — notable vases, bronzes, glasswork and jewelry — presented in a Renaissance palazzo (Palazzo Costabili) with attractive ceilings, a map room and gardens; visitors praise the well-curated, chronological displays (especially the large Athenian-style ceramics and evocative carvings), clear multilingual explanations and helpful staff, and note that the collection is surprisingly extensive and well preserved even if some exhibits rely on older museum presentation styles.

Marcus Hurley

a year ago

"The museum holds the excavated remains from an Etruscan necropolis and the trading town of Spina that was excavated between the 1920s and 1950sbefore being buried under fields in a land reclamation project. The town was founded in the sixth century BC and was an important port and marketplace. It became wealthy on trade and that wealth was reflected in the grave goods with lots of expensive Athenian ceramics. The town was destroyed by the Celts in around 300BC I think and then the river slowly moved, burying the town and necropolis under sediment where it remained lost until 1922. The museum had some fabulous items on display and it was all well laid out in chronological order. The ceramics were the star of the show, some of them were around a metre tall and classic Greek designs but for me the best items were the carving of a married couple - so much affection in a 2500 year old stone carving - and the strainer, a beautiful design that would grace any modern home. There were also lots of wonderful glasswork and gold earrings as well as the inscriptions on the graves to help archaeologists understand population movements and interactions. Luckily there were plenty of English inscriptions and I spent a couple of hours including a quick walk round the garden and a look at the two preserved Roman canoes. The building itself is the Palazzo Costabili, built for the Ambassador to Milan in the late fifteenth century and has some remarkable ceilings as well as a quite stupendous map room...."

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Leo Chen

2 years ago

"This is the best archeological museum in this trip, so far (went to Venice and Bologna). Museums with this large amount of items tend to become anoverwhelming warehouse or a careless highlight show without any educational intention (iykyk). But the Ferrara museum is well curated (multi media, tireless explanation, English translation, the giant "Spina book"...), takes its pace and tells an intriguing story of Spina. Plus it only coats €8. I found here again the joy from last year in Rome. The palace itself is beautiful, with a garden which I’m sure is even more stu ing in spring. The staff are also friendly, helping me find moved exhibits...."

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Alexander “Alex” Roe

a year ago

"Spectacular collection of beautiful pottery items from the ancient settlement of Spina. Building housing the collection is lovely too. A must see forarcheology fans and not only!..."

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FAQs for Visiting the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara

Yes, most sections include clear descriptions in multiple languages.

Photography is generally allowed without flash.

Yes, audio guides and occasional guided tours are offered.

Children with an interest in history or archaeology will enjoy the vivid artifacts.

Yes, visitors can admire the Renaissance architecture of Palazzo Costabili during the visit.

Nearby Attractions to the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara

Palazzo Schifanoia: Home to the extraordinary Hall of the Months fresco cycle.
Estense Castle: A majestic moated fortress with Renaissance interiors.
Ferrara Cathedral: A layered blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architecture.
Via delle Volte: A wonderfully atmospheric medieval street.
Palazzina Marfisa d'Este: A refined 16th-century aristocratic residence with a painted loggia.

The National Archaeological Museum appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Ferrara!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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