National Archaeological Museum of Umbria, Perugia

The National Archaeological Museum of Umbria (MANU), housed in the former convent of San Domenico, is a treasure trove of historical and cultural artifacts. Located along Corso Cavour, just outside Perugia’s Etruscan walls, the museum occupies a complex with a storied past. Originally a 13th-century church, the site evolved over centuries, enduring transformations under Napoleonic troops, unification-era barracks, and World War II occupations. Since 1945, it has been a place of culture, hosting the State Archives, Civic Museums, and, since 1948, the National Archaeological Museum.

The museum is renowned for its extensive collection of Etruscan artifacts, showcasing items excavated from Perugia's necropolises, including the Cai Cutu Sarcophagus and a reconstructed hypogeum. These displays, dating from the Archaic to Hellenistic periods, offer insights into the Etruscan civilization. The Etruscan-Roman Lapidarium, located in the cloister, features funerary cinerary urns, memorial stones, and Latin-inscribed marble slabs.

Visitors can explore exhibits spanning prehistory to Roman times across seven curated itineraries. The upper floors host pre-proto-historical artifacts from central Italy, including the Bellucci Collection and finds from Cetona’s settlement. The Hall of the Bronzes illustrates the cultural evolution of Umbrian and Etruscan societies, divided by the Tiber River.

Modern updates, such as the Tomba dei Cacni and the 2018 epigraphy section, enhance the visitor experience with displays of everyday inscriptions and rare artifacts. The museum also features a Numismatic Cabinet, a Goldsmithery and Monetary Treasures exhibit, and a room dedicated to amulets from the Bellucci collection.

MANU’s significance extends beyond its artifacts; it frequently hosts international exhibitions, such as the "Celts of Bratislava" and "Grimm Museum" showcases, as well as annual conferences and themed guided tours. This dynamic programming underscores its role as a hub of historical scholarship and public engagement.