Archaeological Museum of Seville

The Archaeological Museum of Seville is one of the most important archaeological museums in Spain, located in Maria Luisa Park, in a neorenaissance building designed by architect Aníbal González for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. This museum houses a vast collection of artifacts covering a time span from prehistory to the medieval period, with particular attention to the civilizations that inhabited Andalusia. The history of the museum begins in the 19th century, when the city’s first archaeological collections were first gathered in the Convent of La Merced. Over time, as the collections grew, the construction of a new, more suitable headquarters became necessary. Thus, in 1941, the museum was moved to its current location, the elegant pavilion designed by González, which combines classical and Renaissance elements with an Andalusian style, creating a suggestive and appropriate environment for the exhibition of antiquities. The museum is divided into three floors, each dedicated to different historical periods and thematic areas. On the ground floor, the section dedicated to prehistory and protohistory offers an overview of the early populations that inhabited Andalusia, with artifacts dating back to the Paleolithic era. Among the most important pieces are stone tools, ceramics, and everyday objects that testify to the life of these ancient communities. The Roman section is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating in the museum. It gathers an extraordinary collection of artifacts from the Roman city of Italica, founded in 206 BC and located a few kilometers from Seville. Italica is famous for being the birthplace of emperors Trajan and Hadrian. Among the treasures on display are magnificent mosaics, marble and bronze statues, everyday objects, and coins that illustrate the life and culture of the Roman era. Particularly notable are the statues of Trajan and Hadrian, depicted with a precision and realism that testify to the high level achieved by Roman sculptors. On the first floor, the medieval collection offers an in-depth look at the Visigothic and Islamic periods. During the Visigothic era, Seville was an important political and religious center, as evidenced by the numerous objects of sacred art and jewelry on display. With the arrival of the Arabs in 711 AD, the city became a flourishing cultural and commercial center under the Caliphate of Cordoba. Artifacts from this period include finely decorated ceramics, Arabic inscriptions, and wrought metal objects, reflecting the high level of craftsmanship achieved during the Islamic period. Another section of great interest is dedicated to the modern era, exploring the history of Seville from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Here, objects can be admired that tell the story of the city during the Reconquista period, as well as artifacts that illustrate the daily life and urban transformations of Seville in the following centuries. This section also offers a glimpse into the social, political, and religious life of the city, through the exhibition of documents, paintings, and art objects. One of the most interesting anecdotes related to the museum is the discovery of the Carambolo Treasure in 1958. This extraordinary collection of gold and silver jewelry, dating back to the 7th century BC, was accidentally discovered during excavation work for the construction of a cistern. The treasure, attributed to the Tartessian culture, is one of the most important archaeological finds in Spain and offers a valuable insight into the wealth and craftsmanship of this ancient civilization.