National Archaeological Museum of Palestrina

The door to history opens in Palestrina, the ancient city that the Latins called Praeneste, revealing its treasures to visitors.

In the splendid setting of the Colonna Barberini palace, the rooms on the first floor house images of the goddess Fortuna, statues and portraits, the faces of the ancient inhabitants of Praeneste and reminders of the exploits of some of them, such as the general who accompanied Trajan in his conquests. The second floor is dedicated to sanctuaries and necropolises, with votive terracotta and precious engraved bronzes: mirrors and cists that tell us about the myths with which the girls of Praeneste were educated to become women. On the third floor is the famous polychrome mosaic depicting the flooding of the Nile, one of the largest and most important mosaics of the ancient world, created in Palestrina by craftsmen from Alexandria in Egypt. Finally, in the cryptoporticus, the vaulted gallery that runs under the steps of the cavea, sculptures and inscriptions are on display.

National Archaeological Museum of Palestrina
Palazzo Barberini, v. Barberini, 22 – 00036 Palestrina (RM)
Tel.: +39 06 9538100.
Email: mupa-prae-gabi@cultura.gov.it
Website: www.gabiipraeneste.cultura.gov.it

Accessibility and services
The museum is accessible to people with motor disabilities, thanks to the presence of elevators and ramps.
Educational aids are available free of charge for blind and visually impaired visitors.

How to get there

Rome-L’Aquila A24 motorway, Tivoli or Lunghezza exit.

Rome-Naples A1 motorway, San Cesareo or Valmontone exit.

Provincial road no. 16 Prenestina.

State road no. 6 Casilina.

CO.TRA.L bus departing from Rome, Anagnina and Ponte Mammolo stations.

F.S. Rome Termini-Zagarolo train. The F.S. station in Zagarolo is connected to Palestrina by a shuttle service.