Archaeological Museum of Pithecusae
Photo: Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Archaeological Museum of Pithecusae, located in Lacco Ameno, Italy, displays artifacts from the ancient Greek settlement of Pithecusae, founded in the 8th century BC.
Planning your visit
Pithecusae on Ischia was the first Greek colony in the western Mediterranean, founded around 750 BC by settlers from Euboea — earlier than Cumae on the mainland, and the beginning of Greek settlement in Italy that would become Magna Graecia.
The museum's most celebrated object is Nestor's Cup, a modest Rhodian drinking vessel scratched with three lines of Greek verse: a joke stating that whoever drinks from this cup will be seized by desire for Aphrodite. It dates to around 730 BC, making it among the earliest surviving examples of the Greek alphabet, and it appears to reference the Iliad — evidence that the Homeric poems were circulating this early and this far west.
Around it sit grave goods, imported Corinthian and Levantine pottery showing the trade networks, and material on the island's volcanic geology.
The museum occupies the Villa Arbusto in Lacco Ameno, with gardens overlooking the bay.
Bookable options are entry tickets. Current availability is shown below.
Before you book
Where is Archaeological Museum of Pithecusae?
Archaeological Museum of Pithecusae is in Lacco Ameno, Italy. The map on this page marks its exact location.
Is Archaeological Museum of Pithecusae free to enter?
Yes, general admission to Archaeological Museum of Pithecusae is free. Guided tours and special exhibitions may still be charged separately.
What are the opening hours of Archaeological Museum of Pithecusae?
Monday 9:00am – 2:00pm Tuesday 9:00am – 2:00pm Wednesday 9:00am – 2:00pm Thursday 9:00am – 2:00pm Friday 9:00am – 2:00pm Saturday 9:00am – 2:00pm Sunday Closed. Hours change on public holidays, so check the official site before travelling.
Do I need to book Archaeological Museum of Pithecusae in advance?
Tickets can be bought on the door at quiet times, but booking ahead fixes the date and avoids the queue at busy ones. Live availability is shown on this page.