Arsenal Of The Maritime Republic

Amalfi, Italy

The structure of the arsenal consists of two large stone-built halls with vaulting supported by repeated pointed arches. The vaulting rests on ten piers, originally there were twenty two, the missing twelve and the structure they supported having been lost to centuries of coastal erosion. The main function of the arsenal was the building, repair and storage of warships. Amalfitan war-galleys were among the largest to be found in the Mediterranean during the Early Middle Ages.

The building now contains architectural and sculptural remains, a row-barge used in the Historical Regatta, a number of models of ships and it also acts as a venue for visual art exhibitions. Starting from December 2010, the Ancient Arsenals of Amalfi host the Compass Museum on the premises of the two aisles of the building, which were spared by the Amalfi seaquake of 1343.

Museums in Italy

Address

Salita Eleonora D'aragona 2, Amalfi, Italy

See all sites in Amalfi

Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Museums in Italy

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Amalfi Cathedral (0,1 km)
Chiostro del Paradiso (0,1 km)
Ravello Cathedral (1,9 km)
Villa Rufolo (1,9 km)
San Giovanni del Toro (2,1 km)
Villa Cimbrone (1,4 km)
Collegiate Church of St Mary Magdalene (0,7 km)

Herculaneum (28,8 km)
Pompeii (16,3 km)
National Archaeological Museum (38,4 km)
Teatro di San Carlo (37,3 km)
Royal Palace of Naples (37,2 km)
Royal Palace of Caserta (54 km)
Castel Sant'Elmo (38,4 km)
Santa Maria Assunta Church (9,7 km)
San Gregorio Armeno (37,7 km)

User Reviews

Ian Wickenden (10 months ago)
Nice building on the inside, but lacking anything interesting you haven't already seen a dozen times in any local museum around the world.

Bruce (11 months ago)
Worth a visit. Had expected maybe to see some naval cannons etc since it was an arsenal, but the exhibits on display are interesting.

Orlando Guerra (2 years ago)
A free museum to visit directly across from the bus stop of Amalfi! Don’t miss this chance to learn about the history of Amalfi and get a chance to escape the crowded streets and beaches!

Debbie West (2 years ago)
Crowded. But beautiful. Came in by boat. Traffic could be worse but it's only 11am.

Schauffaussen Igor (2 years ago)
Nice city

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Mark1792

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.