History Museums in Sicily

THE 10 BEST Sicily History Museums

History Museums in Sicily

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147 places sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
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What travellers are saying

  • Elia B
    10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We visited the tonnara of Favignana our last day on the Egadis. The tonnara is an interesting example of industrial architecture and it has a sea turtles clinic inside the building. Liliana led in a very inspiring visit, where she taught us the almost mystic role of the rais alongside the different phases of tuna production. With the songs she shared with us, it was almost possible to feel the experience of the tonnara and its meaning not only for the industry but for the community as a whole. Absolutely recommended if you are in Favignana!
    Written 10 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • duhoz
    Beroun, Czech Republic6,315 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Second largest monastery in Europe but today university. It has most valueable library, probably you can see it as part of guided tour. I just walked around on my own the huge complex and cloisters as I have not time to take about 90 minutes guided tour I reccommend to visit the next door church and climb up to cupola at the high 62 meters.
    Written 2 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • robinn669
    Farnham, UK443 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An extraordinary place and largely unknown to the great Sicilian public apart from the disinterested and distracted Italian school children forced to walk around but more engaged with their phones This is an in-depth examination of Operation Husky when the Americans and British raced around the island to see who could secure Messina first. The equipment, the visuals, the reenactments are first class- presentation is usually an Italian thing but this time they've combined it with substance. It's a beautiful space tucked away near the railway station- and takes a bit of finding but completely worth it. I hope there is money to maintain this excellent museum
    Written 3 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Carlo M
    34 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We visited on a wet Saturday morning and we were immediately warmly welcomed by Don Carmelo. He gave us an extremely enthusiastic and interesting tour of everything in the small cave dwelling. His energy was contagious and joyful. Thank you very much, this the highlight of our visit to Scicli.

    It was a real shame that the rest of the cave dwelling area of Scicli is currently closed to the public.
    Written 12 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Francesca
    Palermo, Italy59 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent 20 minute tour describing the evolution of salt production. For separate fee you can walk out to the salt flats, as well. Part of a nature reserve, they are many species of birds in the area. Pink flamingos everywhere.
    Written 25 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • rofly
    Durham, NC31 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I'm not a huge museum person, but I do like archaeological museums, and this one was great! So much to see, and I was almost the only person there so I was able to quietly take everything in. I was in a rush and only spent 2 hours there, but would have liked more time even though I'd already visited several archaeological museums in the previous 2 weeks. I also regretted not visiting the catacombs nearby.
    Written 24 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ANGELO V
    Milan, Italy2,939 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Ursino castle in Catania was built by Frederick II of Swabia during the 13thI century. During the Sicilian Vespers it was the seat of the parliament and later it was the residence of the Sovereigns of Sicily of the Aragonese dynasty including Frederick III. Today it houses the Civic Museum.

    The museum is very big, and it houses art pieces from the Greek period to the 18th-19th centuries. Some pieces of modern art in the same rooms as historical art is a questionable choice. Explanations are provided in Italian for all pieces, in English for most of them, and in Spanish for some.

    According to me, the best part is the paintings and drawings collection, with pieces by artists such as El Greco, Luis de Morales, Mathias Stomer, Francesco Solimena, Mattia Preti, Jusepe de Ribeira, Michele Rapisardi, Girolamo Induno, Sebastian Ittar, and the only existing copy of the precious "Nativity" altarpiece by Caravaggio, stolen in Palermo and never found again.

    The archaeological section is very interesting, too, whereas the numismatic collection is not enjoyable: the coins are in the dark and not very visible in the absence of light.
    Written 29 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ifc
    16 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What more to say than stunning place? I would just provide the option of audio guide for those like me who wants to look around on their own
    Written 17 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Cynicoren
    Beersheba, Israel2,582 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Certainly not a must, but worth a visit if you love statues from the Roman era, free to visit every first Sunday of the month.
    I especially liked the part where they painted some statues so they will look as they were in the times of antiquity (usually you see most of them as white because their color were ground by the sands of time).
    Took less than an hour to visit.
    Written 24 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • RG B
    Sacramento, CA135 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A small but informative exhibition of the genius of Archimedes and Leonardo de Vinci. Numerous interactive displays of their creations allow the curious, both young and old, to see and touch devices that changed mankind. Signage is in Italian and English. Inexpensive. Allow 1-2 hours to absorb all the ideas and mechanisms.
    Written 30 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Richard R
    Clisson, France67 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A bit off the beaten track, but well worth the diversion. This small museum has a good collection of material excavated from the nearby Greek-era city of Morgantina including two outstanding items. The first is a magnificent collection of intricately worked silver dishes from about 200 BCE. The craftsmanship is superb and this alone makes the detour worthwhile. In addition, there is a very fine statue, the Goddess of Morgantina, from about 500 BCE. The drapery sublimely carved in limestone while the head and hands are marble. Both these treasures were recovered from American museums, who accepted that they had been stolen and falsely documented and then returned them to their rightful owner.
    Written 10 July 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Eils G
    Sneem, Ireland28 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visited this museum in Catania, the visit included a trip to the baths under St Agatha Church.
    Interesting place with a lot of local history spread over four floors.

    Do try to get to the roof top if its open it gives a great view down on the main square and across the city.

    Written 2 February 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • StephenCross
    Dublin, Ireland18,526 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a notable museum / art gallery that has housed multiple serious works of art in its time. Great central location .
    Written 10 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Pruguy
    Bensalem, PA744 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The museum is in the castle on top of the hill. It is small but interesting and the chapel is beautiful and not to be missed. There are also good views for photos.
    Written 27 December 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • seolram
    Leiden, The Netherlands900 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visiting the house where this realist writer lived and worked the last 20 years of his life inspired me to read his works. I did know his name and we had a couple of hours to kill before we had to catch our flight, so we thought: why not?

    Not only is the house a display of the life of Vega, but also of people prosperring in the late 19th- early 20th century, which makes it interesting in itself. Too bad though the museum is mainly focussed on Italian visitors.

    After I came home I started reading I Malavoglia, since the house, the pictures Vega made and the bits and pieces I could read in the museum made me crave for more information about commoners in that day and age. It really is fantastic to read all that after visiting the area, since you can easily paint the picture of the story in your head.

    The museum made it even more real for me, you could almost smell dinner on the table, hear Verga talk to his friends or read one of the beautiful old books in his library, see his wife sitting it the table. I loved it!
    Written 20 September 2011
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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