Civic Museum of Antiquities "J.J. Winkelman", Trieste

The Civic Museum of Antiquities "J.J. Winkelman" (Civico Museo d’Antichità “J.J. Winckelmann”) in Trieste has a rich history of collecting ancient artifacts from various civilizations. Its origins date back to the 19th century when it was established with the primary purpose of collecting materials from the history of the city. Over time, the museum was enriched with private donations of finds from different civilizations.

One of the notable features of the museum is the adjoining Orto Lapidario, which houses epigraphs, monuments, and sculptures from the Roman era. Visitors can also explore the neoclassical temple with the monument to Winckelmann. The Giardino del Capitano, located next to the museum building, preserves sculptures, tombstones, and inscriptions from the medieval-modern era.

On the ground floor of the museum, visitors can explore the Egyptian Collection, which is exhibited alongside archaeological materials from the Roman period from the Tergesto and Aquileian territories. The materials are divided into the Sculpture Room, the Roman Room, and the Atrium, where figurative sarcophagi of Attic production are located.

The first floor of the museum is dedicated to the prehistory and protohistory of the Trieste Karst, eastern Istria in San Canziano del Timavo, and the Isontino area. Visitors can learn about the history and culture of these regions through a variety of artifacts and exhibits.

On the second floor, visitors can explore the new rooms reserved for Greek vases. The museum displays specimens from Corinthian, Attic, Apulian, and Etruscan collections, particularly from the Fontana Sartorio collection, alongside materials from the island of Cyprus and Taranto. One of the standout pieces in the museum is the silver rhyton with a fawn's head from 400 BC. Visitors can also admire the showcases dedicated to ancient writing.

In 2002, the museum received a significant donation of Mayan ceramics from El Salvador. This allowed for the creation of the “Cesare Fabietti” Mayan room, which offers visitors a glimpse into the pre-Columbian civilizations of Central America. Overall, the Civic Museum of Antiquities "J.J. Winkelman" offers a fascinating look into the history and culture of various civilizations through a diverse collection of artifacts and exhibits.