A silver rhyton a ritual drinking vessel shaped like a fawn’s head. This is just one of the treasures you’ll find at the J J Winckelmann Antiquities Museum. Right here in Trieste.
The J J Winckelmann Antiquities Museum isn’t just a museum. It’s a journey through time. It’s a place where history comes alive. Founded in the 19th century its collections grew over time. Private donations enriched its holdings. Today it boasts artifacts from various civilizations. From ancient Egypt to Mesoamerica.
Explore the ground floor. There you will find the Egyptian Collection. It’s displayed alongside Roman-era artifacts. These come from the Tergesto and Aquileian territories. See the Sculpture Room. Visit the Roman Room. Marvel at the Atrium. It houses figurative sarcophagi of Attic production.
Ascend to the first floor. Discover the prehistory and protohistory of the Trieste Karst. Explore artifacts from eastern Istria. Learn about the Isontino area. The exhibits bring their history and culture to life.
On the second floor the Greek vases await. Admire specimens from Corinthian Attic Apulian and Etruscan collections. The Fontana Sartorio collection is a highlight. So are the pieces from Cyprus and Taranto. Don’t miss the silver rhyton with a fawn’s head. It dates back to 400 BC. See the showcases dedicated to ancient writing.
In 2002 a significant donation arrived. Mayan ceramics from El Salvador enriched the museum. The Cesare Fabietti Mayan room showcases pre-Columbian civilizations of Central America. The J J Winckelmann Antiquities Museum offers a fascinating journey. It explores the history and culture of numerous civilizations. It does so through a diverse array of artifacts and exhibits. Outside the museum stands a neoclassical temple. This houses a monument to Johann Joachim Winckelmann. He was the father of archaeology and was tragically murdered in Trieste in 1768. The Orto Lapidario adjacent to the museum displays Roman-era epigraphs monuments and sculptures. The Giardino del Capitano nearby preserves sculptures tombstones and inscriptions from the medieval and modern eras. The J J Winckelmann Antiquities Museum in Trieste is more than just a collection of artifacts. It is a testament to the rich and varied history of this remarkable city and the world beyond.