From prehistory to the âfakesâ from Centuripe of the 20th century, the collection of the archaeologist Libertini tells the story of Archaeology in Catania.
The museum houses artefacts dating back to the prehistoric era up to the late ancient era. In its five rooms you can admire some particularly valuable pieces, for example the model of a boat with rowers, abronze sistrum – a musical instrument that produces a silvery sound when shaken – and a large pyx with a detachable lid on which it’s depicted the ceremony of gifts giving to the newly bride. In the last room of the museum there are 78 fakes, produced with such skill by forgers from Centuripe that they fool even experts.
Palazzo Ingrassia | Via biblioteca, 4 Catania
+39 095 7102767 | + 39 334 9242464
The management and valorisation activities and initiatives for the public at the Museum of Archeology of the University of Catania are part of the actions taking place within the special public-private partnership with the University of Catania.
We design educational services for the public to tell the history of Catania archaeology, the profession of the archaeologist, but also the customs and habits of the ancient civilizations and populations that inhabited Sicily in the past.
Its history begins in 1898 when Paolo Orsi donated ten âfindsâ to the University Cabinet of Archaeology. Since the 1920s, Guido Libertini has made several purchases which will form today’s collection. The Museum was created within the Catania-Lecce project, today it houses all kinds of items dating from prehistory to the mediaeval age. Thanks to Libertini’s interest in ancient artefacts from Centuripe, today we can admire 78 forgeries by forgers from this small city in central Sicily.
The Museum of Archeology of the University of Catania is located on the ground floor of the nineteenth-century Palazzo Ingrassia, formerly the Institute of Anatomy, now home to the Archeology and Ancient Sciences section of the Department of Humanities – Unict.
Visit the Museum of Archeology of the University of Catania independently or with the guided tours organised by Officine Culturali for a journey through history spanning 5000 years.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 to 13:00 (except for holidays).
It is possible to visit the Archeological Museum of the University of Catania independently during opening hours or ask for the guided tour service for a group of minimum 10 people. The guided tours also take place during dedicated events.
Free entry. Full ticket for guided tours âŹ5.
Accessible to people with motor disabilities.