Lapidary Museum, Ferrara
Lapidary Museum (Museo Civico Lapidario) in Ferrara is a small but very valuable collection. The funerary culture of the Roman times is stored here. And it's not just tombs, they are real works of art that make you admire them.
History of the museum
The museum was founded in 1735 in the palace of Paadiso by the decree of the Marquis Ercole Bevilacqua. The architectural valuable things of the Roman era, scattered around the city and the provinces were collected in it. Thanks to constant replenishment, the museum's collection reached its peak by the middle of the 19th century. And in 1872 Teodoro Mommsen created the first museum catalogue. In 1898, the institution was moved to the Palazzo Schifanoia. Soon, in 1929, the collection was divided. Part of it was transferred to the Cathedral Museum, and the remaining copies – to the Palazzo dei Diamanti.
After the war, a part of the medieval exhibits was separated from the museum, leaving only the finds of the Roman era. In 1981, the institution was moved to the current site, the building of the church Santa Libera, built in the 16th century. Since the 19th century, the church was used as a warehouse, shop, laboratory, metallurgical workshop. Finally, in 1979, they began to restore it, and two years later they placed a museum here.
Museum collection
After almost 3 centuries after the foundation, the museum exposition significantly decreased. Nowadays, it includes only items found in the former Roman city of Voghenza. The inhabitants of this settlement, after constant raids, founded Ferrara, leaving their native places. Most finds are from the middle of the 1st century. These are funerary steles and ornate sarcophagi. Among them, there are the tombs of Annia Faustina, Atilia Primitiva, and, most importantly, the sarcophagus of Aurelia Eutychia.
Also 18 ancient epigraphs are stored in the museum, 3 of which are presented to visitors. Another important exhibit is the children's sarcophagus of the 3rd century, in which a child named Neon was buried.
How to get there
The museum is located in the historic center of Ferrara, on Via Campo Sabbionario, 1. Not far from it there is a park zone encircling the city center, as well as the Jewish and Archaeological Museums. In 4 minutes walk there is a bus stop Alfonso d'Este Medaglie D'oro (routes 6, 13, 310, 322, 330, 342, 345).
Opening hours: from 9:30 to 18:00. Monday is the day off. Since January 8, 2018, the museum is working to establish a system of seismic safety, so for information about the visit, call: (+39) 0532 244949.
Admission: ticket price is 3 euros, with a discount (groups of 15 people, persons of age 18-25 and over 65) – 2 euros. The ticket also gives an opportunity to visit the Palazzo Schifanoia. For children under 18 – admission is free. Data of June 2018.
