A Look at Some of the Popular Sicily Museums

There are dozens of Sicily museums and galleries worth investigating, especially if you are into Sicilian history. Below, you will see a brief description of a few of the more popular ones.

1. Museo Archeologico Regionale (Regional Museum of Archeology) "Paolo Orsi"

This Sicilian museum is located in Syracuse. It was founded in 1967 and opened its doors in 1988.

Paolo Orsi was a famous archaeologist that was the head of the Department of Antiquities in Sicily for more than 30 years. It is a necessary stop for anyone that wants a clear understanding of Sicilian history, from pre-history to the end of the Classical Period. One of the highlights is a Greek funeral statue dating back to 500BC.

Located in Palermo, this is another of the regional archaeological museums. The Antonino Salinas (also named after an archaeologist) is located in Palermo and is housed in a 17th century monastery. Pieces from the various artistic periods and civilizations of Western Sicily are found inside.

Nearby is the archaeological site of Selinunte. Many of the displayed treasures are from that dig. Selinunte was a city founded by the Greeks in the 7th century BC. During this period of Sicilian history, the island was peaceful and culture flourished. Other sites have temples that are better preserved, but there are more total temples in Selinunte than at any other site.

3. Regional Museum of Archaeology in Agrigento

Nearly every region on the island has a museum dedicated to the history of it. This one is dedicated to the ancient city of Agrigento and the surrounding area. Like many other museums in Sicily, this one displays antiquities found during excavations that occurred in the 20th century. The highlights of this museum include finds from the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and nearby cities.

Located in Syracuse, not far from the Paolo Orsi, the Galleria Regionale del Palazzo Bellomo focuses on Sicilian history in art and decorative painting. It is housed in a building from the Swabian period that was enlarged during the 15th by the Bellomo family of Syracuse. One of the highlights is the “Annunciation”, a painting by Antonello da Messina.

Other large Sicily museums are located in Palermo, Syracuse, Messina and Trapani. But, you may find a small gallery or museum in unexpected places. Sicily is an island worth exploring, from one end to the other.

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