Museum of Archaeology of the University of Pavia

The Museum of Archaeology of the University of Pavia was founded in 1820 by Pietro Vittorio Aldini, the first professor of Archaeology at our University. Located right in the city centre, in the University's Central Building, with its entrance in the passageway between the Cortile delle Magnolie and the Cortile Sforzesco, the Museum is housed in one of Pavia's historical location, the Sala della Crociera of the 15th-century San Matteo Hospital. Following the didactic-scientific principle established from the outset by its founder, the Museum is non-specialist in character, but articulated around a great variety of materials belonging to various cultures and epochs, from Prehistory to the 17th century. The collection was conceived as an exhibition for students of archaeology at the University, so that they could see live ancient artefacts and reproductions of statues and practice the study of archaeology and the history of ancient art. Etruscan terracotta, Greek and Magna Graecia vases, Roman statues, a collection of Egyptian artefacts, architectural elements, epigraphs, bronze statuettes of various origins and several modern plaster casts of famous works of classical art are just some of the extraordinary objects housed in the Museum.

Students from the University of Pavia can still observe and study the exhibits preserved at the University's Museum of Archaeology live during opening hours to the public, and it is also possible to carry out an internship (minimum 75 hours) at the Museum, working with the curators to learn how to conserve and enhance ancient objects, participating in exhibition activities, dissemination and guided tours.

The Museum is currently closed to the public due to building requalification of the Pavia University headquarters. However, the study, cataloguing, conservation and promotion activities of the Museum by the staff continue, with the possibility of agreeing internships for students.

Professor in charge of internships:

Prof. Elena Calandra (elena.calandra@unipv.it)