As of August 1, 2025, the National Archaeological Museum of Umbria will temporarily close to the public in order to begin an extensive redevelopment project. The work, which will last at least twenty months, involves a total investment of more than 7 million euros and will focus both on the historic building that houses the museum, the San Domenico Complex, and on rethinking the entire exhibition itinerary.
The goal of the intervention is to transform the MANU into one of Umbria’s most advanced cultural centers in terms of conservation, accessibility and innovation. Planned works include the anti-seismic consolidation of the major and minor cloisters, fire retrofitting, the complete renovation of the electrical and thermal systems with a view to energy efficiency, and the replacement of the roofing. In parallel, the museum route will be completely renovated, which will be reorganized according to a chronological-thematic narrative. Visitors will be taken through the main historical phases of the territory, with a focus on Etruscan, Umbrian and Roman civilizations.
“I firmly believe that the potential of the MANU is enormous,” says Costantino D’Orazio, director of the National Museums of Perugia, “and these impressive works will help to express it to the fullest. Once reopened, the museum will provide an engaging, accessible and engaging window into the history of Umbria through millennia, from Prehistory to Late Antiquity. The combination of the San Domenico Convent structure and the museum’s extraordinary collections will make it one of the most fascinating and accessible places in Italy.”
“This is a great opportunity of renewal for the National Archaeological Museum of Umbria,” says MANU Director Tiziana Caponi, “which includes the possibility of organizing in an organic way a communicative exhibition route. It is a cultural proposal aimed at enhancing the collections on display and present in the deposits with new keys to interpretation, which is being designed with the Balletti+Sabbatini architects studio. A series of structural and plant engineering interventions are also planned that will fully redevelop the historic building. In particular, work on the consolidation of the main cloister has begun in these days, based on a project by Studio Alfio Barabani, and the replacement of the roofing membranes.”
The use of digital technologies will play a central role in the new layout. The integration of multimedia tools will be functional for in-depth content and greater understanding by heterogeneous audiences, also facilitating access for people with special needs. The project is characterized by a strong inclusivity orientation, adopting solutions that take into account different physical, cognitive and cultural needs. It will also display works hitherto kept in storage and historical collections that are not currently visible to the public.
During the work, MANU’s activities will not be interrupted. The museum’s Library will continue to be accessible for consultation of the library holdings and will host a calendar of initiatives that will include lectures, concerts, workshops and popular activities. The collection will not be entirely invisible: some works will be presented in temporary exhibitions organized in collaboration with local and national institutions. Among the initiatives already announced is the partnership with the Liceo Classico “A. Mariotti,” whose students will curate a school exhibition dedicated to museum materials entrusted to MANU following seizures.
Other activities will be developed in co-design with Perugia’s “Pietro Vannucci” Academy of Fine Arts, confirming the desire to keep alive the link with the city’s cultural fabric. In parallel, digital communication will also be enhanced. On the social platforms of the National Museums of Perugia, Regional Directorate National Museums Umbria, and MANU will be published content dedicated to the behind-the-scenes of the construction site, with photographs, videos and interviews. The goal is to document the stages of the museum’s transformation and engage the public in a journey of awareness and anticipation.
The redevelopment project is supported by a plurality of funding, spread over several ministerial programs. The first intervention involves vulnerability reduction and restoration, as well as plant upgrading and improvement of the thermal conditions of the loggia on the second floor. An amount of 390,000 euros has been allocated for this operation, financed by the program under Law No. 232 of December 11, 2016.
The complete refurbishment of the museum spaces, on the other hand, falls under the Strategic Plan Great Cultural Heritage Projects, approved by DM No. 173 of May 3, 2024, in the amount of 2,000,000 euros. Another intervention concerns the construction of a new entrance to the city and the arrangement of the “Stallone” storerooms, financed with a programmed amount of 890,000 euros under the 2015 Stability Law and approved by Ministerial Decree No. 289 of July 18, 2022. Routine and extraordinary maintenance work is also planned, including the overhaul of gutters, downspouts and roofing membranes, as well as maintenance of thresholds and fixtures. The works are part of the three-year planning for 2023-2025 and 2024-2026, with amounts of 70,000 and 80,000 euros, respectively. An additional contribution of 1,429,493.07 euros will be allocated to the completion of energy efficiency works and the refurbishment of the museum, as established by the 2015 Stability Law and approved by Ministerial Decree No. 37 of January 31, 2025.
Finally, the adaptation to the fire safety regulations provided for by Presidential Decree No. 151 of August 1, 2011 will be financed with extraordinary funds from the 2007-2013 POIn/FESR, remodeled by Ministerial Decree 180/2020 and Ministerial Decree 196/2021, in the amount of 340,000 euros. The transformation of the MANU is therefore configured as an articulated and ambitious intervention, intended to return to the city of Perugia and Umbria an archaeological museum renewed in every respect, capable of combining protection, accessibility and innovation. While waiting for the reopening, the planned initiatives will ensure the continuity of scientific and cultural activities, maintaining a strong link with the territory and the public.
 |
| The Archaeological Museum of Umbria gets a makeover: more than 7 million euro project kicks off |
Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.
