Museo Archeologico Nazionale

About

The National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara is housed in the magnificent Palazzo Costabili (said of Ludovico il Moro), one of the most beautiful Renaissance palazzi of Ferrara by the great ferrarese architect Biagio Rossetti. The central courtyard, the loggias, the grand staircase, the wide rooms testifie to the life of a high rank ducal family, evidenced by the extraordinary frescoed ceiling by Benvenuto Tisi da Garofalo, which portrays scenes of court life. The story of this exceptional building is linked to the fate of the ancient city of Spina, which begins to unfold in a sensational way at the time of the great land reclamation works in the first half of last century. The Palazzo became a casket for the treasures of the Etruscan city and displays the finds from the town of Spina and the rich grave goods from its necropolis: Etruscan bronzes, golden and amber jewels and wonderful Attic vases, decorated with mythical stories of gods and heroes and with scenes of daily life.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes