Naples Archaeological Museum luggage storage

About Naples Archaeological Museum

Naples Archaeological Museum has a long pedigree. The building it occupies dates back to 1585, when it was used as a cavalry barracks. In 1777, the museum was opened, and soon got a boost when the impressive Farnese collection was acquired by the King of Naples. This astonishing collection of Roman sculptures and artifacts became the centerpiece of what is now the Naples Archaeological Museum.

The 18th-century nobility of Italy had a passionate interest in the classical world, and this was fueled in part by the rediscovery of the lost Roman city of Pompeii in 1748. Artifacts from Pompeii and the neighboring city of Herculaneum, rediscovered in 1709, soon found their way into the collection of the Naples Archaeological Museum. Egyptian artifacts were also added to the collection.

Perhaps the museum’s worst kept secret is the Secret Cabinet. Ancient Roman culture didn’t shy away from the sensual side of life, and many of the artifacts recovered from Pompeii and Herculaneum were deemed unsuitable for public display. The secret cabinet contains erotic art from the Roman cities, and was only open to people of ‘mature age and known morals,’ by order of the rulers of Naples. 

In 1860, with the unification of Italy, the secret cabinet was open to everyone. However, it was closed again during the fascist period, when special permission was required from the Minister of National Education to see the artifacts. It wasn’t until 1971 that this famous collection was again available for anyone to view. Visitors under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult to visit the Secret Cabinet.

Things to do near Naples Archaeological Museum

Naples Archaeological Museum is enough for a whole day’s entertainment, especially for fans of art and ancient history. But beyond the museum itself, the city has lots more to offer. Leave your bags behind at a Bounce luggage storage and explore one of Italy’s most vibrant towns.

• Go on an adventure beneath the streets of Naples at Napoli Sotteranea. Guided tours take you beneath the city into the ancient water tunnels bored through the rock. During the Second World War, the tunnels were used as bomb shelters, and they retain haunting graffiti and artifacts from that era.
• Marvel at the artistic skill of the eighteenth century at the Sansevero Chapel. Built by a nobleman in honor of his departed parents, the highlight of this small but impressive chapel is Giuseppe Sanmartino’s Veiled Christ statue. The statue is so lifelike that there were rumors at the time that the Prince who built the chapel had found a way to turn people into stone. Also, don’t miss the creepy anatomical machines in the basement, mysterious replicas of the human circulatory system.
• Go even further back in time at the Paleontological Museum. Located at Naples University, this museum is a reliable hit with kids thanks to its impressive dinosaur fossils.
• Get a taste of Christmas at any time of year along Via San Gregorio Aremeno. This street is famous for the many local vendors that sell nativity scene figurines from their stores. These handcrafted figurines run the gamut from the classic religious figures to modern politicians and movie stars, and it’s the perfect place to pick up a unique souvenir in Naples.
• Get above it all at Castel Sant’Elmo. This medieval fortress rises on a high hill above the city and is worth visiting just for the view over Naples and Mount Vesuvius.

Transport options at Naples Archaeological Museum

• A shuttle bus connects Naples Airport to Garibaldi Station and the cruise ship terminal. Whether you arrive in Naples by boat or by plane, you can ride the bus to the train station and then make it to the museum from there.
• Bus routes 3M, 139, 147, 168, and many others stop outside the museum. Most of these routes also stop at Piazza Garibaldi, right outside the train station.
• Museo Metro station lies just outside Naples Archaeological Museum. This connects the Museum with the city’s main train station as well as many other points of interest in Naples.

Luggage storage near Naples Archaeological Museum

Naples has plenty of attractions for travelers. But really, one of the best things to do in the city is just wander the narrow streets and soak up the atmosphere. The people of Naples are known for being lively, even by Italian standards, and the streets of the city are like a theater of human behavior.

Drop off your unneeded bags at a luggage storage near Naples Archaeological Museum. That way, you won’t tire yourself out as you climb the hilly streets of the city. You’ll be free to explore the quirky charm of Naples while your belongings are safely looked after.

Attractions and activities near Naples Archaeological Museum

• Naples is the birthplace of pizza, and locals insist that if you haven’t had pizza in the city, you’ve never had real pizza at all. But Naples cuisine goes far beyond just pizza. It has a street food culture that encompasses some of the best of Italian food. Take a Naples street food tour to learn about the history of street food in the city and sample some of the best offerings around. Bring your appetite and your walking shoes and let this lively tour show you the beating heart of the city.
• Once you see the exhibits at Naples Archaeological Museum, you may want to learn more about where they came from. The Roman city of Pompeii can be reached from Naples by train, and is one of the world’s top tourist attractions for a reason. Wondering along the ancient streets will make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time to the Roman era. Preserved by the volcanic eruption that buried the city, the houses and stores are much as they were back in 79 A.D. There’s nowhere else on earth quite like it.
• Take a ferry ride from Naples to the beautiful island of Capri. This jewel of the Mediterranean was a favorite holiday spot for Roman emperors and remains popular with the rich and famous today. With incredible beaches, beautiful hiking trails, ancient ruins, and fantastic food, Capri is a great place to spend a day or a lifetime.