MAR – Museo Archeologico Regionale

A small but precious repository of treasures and knowledge, the Regional Archaeological Museum takes visitors on a fascinating journey to discover the long history of the Aosta Valley region.

Housed in an elegant historical building in the heart of Aosta, built on the Roman structures of the Porta Principalis LeftMAR combines scientific rigour and popularising skills with balance.

Inaugurated in 2004 and refurbished in 2010 with the current layout, the museum is now a landmark for Roman archaeology, largely dedicated to artefacts from ancient Augusta Prætoria.

The origins of the museum date back to 1929, when archaeologist Pietro Barocelliinspector of the Piedmontese Superintendency, succeeded in opening at the Sant'Orso complex the first Royal Museum of Antiquities in Aosta. The undertaking crowned a long series of attempts, started as early as 1893 by the Director of Monuments for Piedmont, Liguria and the Aosta Valley, Alfredo d'Andrade. The contribution of Canon Justin BosonAssyriologist and philologist, who became the first director of the museum.

In the 17th century, the current site of the MAR housed the Monastery of the Visitation; transformed into barracks during the Napoleonic era, it was known as Challant Barracks. Here, since 1992, the archaeological collections have been on public display under the guidance of Rosanna Molloto whom we also owe the successful exhibition Archaeology in the Aosta Valley (1981-1991) held at the castle of Sarriod de La Tour, which made the region's archaeological heritage known and appreciated internationally.

On 15 October 2004 the new Regional Archaeological Museum officially opens its doors to the public, confirming itself as a meeting place between past and present, research and storytelling, memory and discovery.

Accessibility: The Museum is accessible to the physically disabled in wheelchairs. The rooms of the archaeological section are equipped with a pedo-tactile path, Braille panels for the blind and magnifying glasses. Copies and reproductions of artefacts are offered below the showcases in special cabinets for tactile experiences. A wheelchair and two pushchairs for children are available on request.