All ethnology museums to visit in Italy

Explore the cultural diversity and heritage at 45 ethnology museums in Italy. These museums offer insights into the traditions, customs, and ways of life of various communities.

Are you interested in learning about different cultures and their histories? Here are the ethnology museums to visit in Italy:

  1. Museo Nazionale Giovanni Antonio Sanna1

    Museo Nazionale Giovanni Antonio Sanna

     Sassari
    The Museo nazionale archeologico ed etnografico "G. A. Sanna" in Sassari is a significant museum institution in north-central Sardinia. It is named after Giovanni Antonio Sanna, a notable businessman and politician from Sassari. The museum offers a rich collection of archaeological and ethnographic exhibits, making it a fascinating destination for those interested in history and culture.
  2. Museum Ladin Ćiastel de Tor2

    Museum Ladin Ćiastel de Tor

     San Martino in Badia
    Discover the history of the Ladin region in this intriguing museum. Some of the artifacts such as fossils date back to prehistory.
  3. Museo Aretuseo dei Pupi3

    Museo Aretuseo dei Pupi

     Syracuse
    The Museo Aretuseo dei Pupi, located in Syracuse, is a unique museum dedicated to the tradition of the Opera dei Pupi. It offers visitors a chance to explore the artistic and theatrical aspects of this traditional Sicilian puppetry. The museum is the first of its kind in Italy, focusing solely on the Opera dei Pupi.
  4. Jewish Museum of Rome4

    Jewish Museum of Rome

     Rome
    The Jewish Museum of Rome is situated in the basement of the Great Synagogue of Rome. The museum is dedicated to the history of the Jewish presence in Rome, which began in the second century BCE, but it also presents works of art produced by this Jewish community. A visit to the museum includes a gu
  5. Le Gallerie - Trento5

    Le Gallerie - Trento

     Provincia di Trento
    Le Gallerie di Piedicastello, located in Trento, is a museum space that is managed by the Museo storico del Trentino. This museum offers a unique blend of history and memory, providing an immersive experience for visitors.
  6. Museum of Parmigiano Reggiano6

    Museum of Parmigiano Reggiano

     Castellina San Pietro
    The Parmigiano-Reggiano Museum is an ethnographic museum dedicated to the famous Italian cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano. It is situated within the Corte Castellazzi in Soragna, in the province of Parma. The museum offers a deep dive into the history, production, and cultural significance of this iconic cheese.
  7. Alpenfaunamuseum Beck Peccoz- Museo Regionale della Fauna Alpina7

    Alpenfaunamuseum Beck Peccoz- Museo Regionale della Fauna Alpina

     Gressoney-Saint-Jean
    The Alpenfaunamuseum Beck Peccoz is an ethological museum that is situated near the town of Gressoney-Saint-Jean. It is nestled in the heart of the Lys Valley, which is part of the Aosta Valley. This location offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage, making it an interesting destination for tourists.
  8. Museum of Chinese Art and Ethnography8

    Museum of Chinese Art and Ethnography

     Parma
    The Museum of Chinese Art and Ethnography is situated in Parma, Italy. It is housed within the mother house of the Saverian Missionaries, a religious order founded in 1895. The museum is considered one of the most important of its kind in Europe.
  9. Archivio di Stato di Parma9

    Archivio di Stato di Parma

     Parma
    The Archivio di Stato di Parma is a repository of a wide range of historical documents. It preserves the documentation produced by institutions before the unification of Italy and those state post-unification, generally included in the territory of the province. The archive also houses documents from public bodies, families, individuals, associations, and other private entities that hold significant historical interest.
  10. Complesso Museale di San Francesco Montone10

    Complesso Museale di San Francesco Montone

     Montone
    The San Francesco Museum Complex in Montone is a cultural hub that offers a unique blend of art and history. Housed in the Church of San Francesco, the complex consists of an art gallery and the ethnographic museum 'Il Tamburo Parlante'. The art gallery showcases a variety of works from renowned artists, while the ethnographic museum provides a fascinating insight into the local culture and traditions.
  11. Museo di Antropologia Criminale Cesare Lombroso11

    Museo di Antropologia Criminale Cesare Lombroso

     Turin
    Museo di Antropologia Criminale Cesare Lombroso (The Cesare Lombroso Museum of Criminal Anthropology) is a museum in Turin founded by the physician and anthropologist Cesare Lombroso (1835-1909). The museum is part of the University of Turin. The museum brings together the private collection of Lomb
  12. Museo del Costume Nuoro12

    Museo del Costume Nuoro

     Nuoro
    The Museo della vita e delle tradizioni popolari sarde, or the Museum of Sardinian Life and Popular Traditions, is situated at via A. Mereu 56 in Nuoro. This location is easily accessible and provides a convenient starting point for exploring the rich cultural heritage of Sardinia.
  13. Museum of the people of Abruzzo13

    Museum of the people of Abruzzo

     Pescara
    The Museo delle genti d Abruzzo, also known as the Museum of the people of Abruzzo, is an ethnographic museum located in Pescara, Abruzzo. The museum is situated within the remaining sections of the 16th-century fortress of Pescara. This historical setting adds a unique charm to the museum, making it a fascinating destination for tourists interested in the history and culture of Abruzzo.
  14. Museo Etnografico "C'era una Volta"14

    Museo Etnografico "C'era una Volta"

     Alessandria
    The Museo Etnografico della Gambarina "C'era una volta", situated in Alessandria, is recognized as one of the most significant museums in the province of Alessandria. It offers a rich insight into the local culture and history, making it a worthwhile destination for tourists interested in understanding the region's past.
  15. Ethnographic Museum of Friuli15

    Ethnographic Museum of Friuli

     Udine
    The Ethnographic Museum of Friuli, situated in the city of Udine, is housed in the Palazzo Giacomelli. After being closed for over two decades, the museum reopened its doors in October 2010. The museum's location in the historic Palazzo Giacomelli adds an extra layer of cultural significance to the visitor's experience.
  16. Museo Etnografico Regionale- Collezione Luigi Cocco16

    Museo Etnografico Regionale- Collezione Luigi Cocco

     Cagliari
    The Luigi Cocco collection is a significant collection of Sardinian art and crafts. It is managed by the municipality and is located at the citadel of museums in Cagliari. This collection provides a unique insight into the traditional art and craftsmanship of Sardinia, making it a worthwhile visit for those interested in art, history, and culture.
  17. Museo Storico-Archeologico dell'Università del Salento17

    Museo Storico-Archeologico dell'Università del Salento

     Lecce
    The Museo storico-archeologico dell' Università del Salento (MUSA) is a university museum situated in the city of Lecce, nestled between the Porta Napoli and the Belloluogo park. The museum was first opened to the public in June 2007, offering a comprehensive journey through various historical periods and geographical areas.
  18. Museo del Salame di Felino18

    Museo del Salame di Felino

     Felino
    The Museo del Salame di Felino is an ethnographic museum that focuses on the production of Salame di Felino. It is situated within the cellars of the Castello di Felino, an ancient manor that dates back to the year 890. The museum is located in Felino, in the Province of Parma.
  19. Il Museo internazionale delle marionette19

    Il Museo internazionale delle marionette

     Palermo
    The Museo internazionale delle marionette Antonio Pasqualino is a cultural-historical and ethnographic museum in Palermo. The musuem holds the collection of the late Palermit surgeon Antonio Pasqualino. The Museo internazionale delle marionette is located at the Piazzetta Niscemi behind the west sid
  20. Bonocore Palace20

    Bonocore Palace

     Palermo
    The Palazzo Bonocore was restored by the Superintendence for cultural heritage of Palermo and now hosts an exhibition showcasing the Greek-Albanian and Latin liturgical tradition in Sicily. This exhibition provides a unique insight into the diverse cultural influences that have shaped Sicily's rich history, making it a worthwhile visit for tourists interested in culture and history.
  21. Museum of Human Anatomy Luigi Rolando21

    Museum of Human Anatomy Luigi Rolando

     Turin
    The Museum of Human Anatomy Luigi Rolando is a museum of human anatomy founded in 1739 in Turin and is part of the University of Turin and housed in the Building of the Anatomical Institutes. The museum holds a collection of purely anatomical features, as well as anthropological collections, phrenol
  22. MuSa - Museo Di Salò22

    MuSa - Museo Di Salò

     Salò
    The MUSA, also known as Museo di Salò, is situated in the Santa Giustina complex in Salò. This civic museum provides a comprehensive narrative of the city's history and its surrounding territory through various thematic sections. It offers a unique opportunity for visitors to delve into the rich past of Salò and gain a deeper understanding of its cultural and historical significance.
  23. Museo dei Brettii e degli Enotri23

    Museo dei Brettii e degli Enotri

     Cosenza
    The Museo dei Brettii e degli Enotri, located in the 15th-century monumental complex of Sant'Agostino, was inaugurated on October 17, 2009. It serves as a cultural hub in Cosenza, hosting a permanent archaeological exhibition. In addition to this, the museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, concerts, and institutional meetings, making it a vibrant center of cultural activity.
  24. Museum of The Jewish Community Of Trieste Carlo e Vera Wagner24

    Museum of The Jewish Community Of Trieste Carlo e Vera Wagner

     Triest
    The Jewish Museum “Carlo and Vera Wagner" is situated in the heart of Trieste, Italy, at via del Monte 5/7. The museum was inaugurated in 1993 and is housed in a building of historical significance to the Jewish community of Trieste. The museum's location and its rich history make it an interesting destination for tourists visiting the city.
  25. Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Venosa25

    Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Venosa

     Venosa
    The museum's collection includes ancient artifacts from the city dating back to the Oscan period, artifacts from the Jewish community, and the more than 600,000-year-old remains from the Notarchirico site. Among these remains is the oldest femur of a Homo erectus found in Europe. These exhibits provide a comprehensive overview of the region's rich history and cultural heritage.
  26. Museo Etnografico sulla Lavorazione del Legno26

    Museo Etnografico sulla Lavorazione del Legno

     San Vito di Leguzzano
    The Museo Etnografico sulla Lavorazione del Legno is an ethnographic museum that is situated in San Vito di Leguzzano, a municipality in the province of Vicenza. The museum is housed within the Corte Priorato-Gandin, a historic site in the region.
  27. Pigorini National Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography27

    Pigorini National Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography

     Rome
    The Pigorini National Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography (Museo Nazionale Preistorico Etnografico "Luigi Pigorini") is la museum in Rome. Divided into two separate sections, the museum is spread over three floors and presents on the one hand a large collection of objects of non-European ethnograph
  28. Museo Demologico dell'Economia, del Lavoro e della Storia Sociale Silana28

    Museo Demologico dell'Economia, del Lavoro e della Storia Sociale Silana

     San Giovanni in Fiore
    The Museo Demologico dell'Economia, del Lavoro e della Storia Sociale Silana is a museum that is part of the regional museum network in Calabria. It is located in the Florense abbey of San Giovanni in Fiore. The museum tells the story of Silan peasant life through seven sections and three archives. It is recognized by the Calabria Region and is part of the major regional museums.
  29. Museo di Roma in Trastevere29

    Museo di Roma in Trastevere

     Rome
    Museo di Roma in Trastevere is a museum in Rome that is housed in the restored Carmelite convent of Sant'Egidio. The museum holds and exhibits a collection that illustrates the recent culture of Rome, with the help of life-size models. The main focus is on Roman life in the late eighteenth and ninet
  30. Museum of Anthropology and Ethnology30

    Museum of Anthropology and Ethnology

     Florence
    The Museum of Anthropology and Ethnology (Museo Nazionale di Antropologia ed Etnologia) is a museum in FLorence that is housed in Palazzo Nonfinito. The museum holds around 15,000 ethnological pieces and 6,100 anthropological pieces and a photographic collection with 26,000 prints and 7,000 negative
  31. Mulino Angeli - Casa degli Spaventapasseri31

    Mulino Angeli - Casa degli Spaventapasseri

     Marter
    The Scarecrow Museum, part of the Valsugana museum system, is situated in Roncegno Terme in the province of Trento. This location offers a unique cultural experience for tourists interested in local history and culture.
  32. Museo Fiorentino di Preistoria Paolo Graziosi32

    Museo Fiorentino di Preistoria Paolo Graziosi

     Florence
    The Museo Fiorentino di Preistoria Paolo Graziosi (The Florentine Museum of Prehistory "Paolo Graziosi") is a museum in Florence that is housed in the former convent of the Oblate Sisters (Complesso delle Oblate). The museum features two large halls, with numerous finds exhibited in chronological or
  33. Museo di Antropologia33

    Museo di Antropologia

     Bologna
    Museo di Antropologia, Collezione di Antropologia is the Anthropology museum in Bologna. The museum holds a collection that includes skulls and skeletons from the Neolithic era to the 18th century; plaster casts of the remains of the skeletons of primates and the Primitive Man illustrating the fund
  34. 34

    MURATS - Museo Unico Regionale Arte Tessile Sarda

     Samugheo
    The MURATS, or Museo Unico Regionale Arte Tessile Sarda, is situated in the town of Samugheo, in the province of Oristano. This region is renowned for its textile production, making it an ideal location for a museum dedicated to the art of Sardinian textiles.
  35. Museo Etnografico "Alfredo Majorano"35

    Museo Etnografico "Alfredo Majorano"

     Taranto
    The Alfredo Majorano Ethnographic Museum is situated in the heart of Taranto's historic center, housed within the 18th-century Palazzo Pantaleo. This location not only provides a rich historical backdrop for the museum's collections but also places it within easy reach for visitors exploring the city.
  36. SIRMUMA - Museo del Mare di Siracusa36

    SIRMUMA - Museo del Mare di Siracusa

     Syracuse
    Sirmuma, the Sea Museum of Syracuse, is situated in Ortigia, at the Vittorio Emanuele II forum, popularly known as Marina. This location is a significant part of the city's history and culture, making it an interesting spot for tourists to visit. The museum's location adds to the overall maritime experience, as it is surrounded by the sea and the city's vibrant marine life.
  37. Palazzo Bracci Pagani - Museo di Scienze Naturali37

    Palazzo Bracci Pagani - Museo di Scienze Naturali

     Fano
    The Palazzo Bracci Pagani is a monumental building of historical and artistic interest, dating back to between the 16th and 19th centuries. It is situated in the historic center of Fano, nestled between Via Arco d'Augusto and Corso Matteotti, where the entrance to the building can be found. The Palazzo is a testament to the rich history and culture of the region, and its strategic location makes it easily accessible for visitors.
  38. 38

    Museo Missionario Indios

     Assisi
    On the occasion of the 100 years of Capuchin missionary presence in the western Amazon, the museum was refurbished with an interactive and multimedia setup. This was done to highlight the value of the mission and the heroism of its missionaries. The refurbishment was carried out by NOVA-T and interactive sound by Riccardo Mazza, two Turin-based companies specializing in museum setups.
  39. 39

    Museum of Culture

     Milan
    The Museo delle Culture (MUDEC) is the Museum of Culture of Milan that houses the ethnological and anthropological collections of the city as the "Museum of World Cultures". As part of the Museum of Natural History, a collection of ethnographic objects that had been growing since the 19th century, b
  40. 40

    Museum of Art and Science

     Milan
    The Museum of Art and Science in Milan is a museum with a permanent exhibitions that focus on Leonardo da Vinci's life, Buddhist and African art, and teaches its visitors about the authenticity in art.
  41. 41

    Maranatha - Museo dei presepi e dell'arte popolare

     Valle Aurina
    An interesting collection of folk art with detailed information included. There's also a local woodcarver who carves masks of various detail and scariness, and if you are lucky you might catch him in action.
  42. 42

    Museo Europeo degli Studenti

     Bologna
    Museo Europeo degli Studenti (The European Student Museum) is unique in the European museum scene and intends to foster the knowledge and study of the student world by retracing, through more than 8th centuries, the role that the student has played in the university and in society. The exhibition pr
  43. 43

    Museo di Storia e Cultura Contadina

     Genoa
    Museo di Storia e Cultura Contadina (Museum of History and Peasant Culture) is a museum in Genoa. The museum holds a collection of agricultural tools, decorations of peasant houses, tools of artisans and photographs illustrating food production. The museum mostly illustrates the peasant culture and
  44. 44

    Museo Terre di Confine

     Sonnino
    The Museo delle Terre di Confine was inaugurated in 2008 and is located within the ancient palace of the Mancini family. The museum highlights a unique aspect of the territory of Sonnino, which has had a long history of dealing with border issues. From the Middle Ages to the modern age, Sonnino was situated on the border line between the Papal State and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, which has greatly influenced its history and culture.
  45. 45

    Museo Etnografico del Ferro, delle Arti e Tradizioni Popolari

     Prestine
    The Museo Etnografico del Ferro, delle Arti e Tradizioni Popolari is situated in the municipality of Bienno, in the scenic Val Camonica, within the province of Brescia. This location is not only rich in cultural heritage but also offers a picturesque setting for visitors.