Castello di Baia

The museum layout, realised under the scientific direction of Prof. Fausto Zevi, presents the history of the ancient sites in the Phlegraean Fields in five distinct sections. These sections are arranged according to a reasoned exhibition by topographical and thematic context, and are situated within the splendid landscape setting that can be admired from the Aragonese fortress. Cuma, Puteoli, Baiae, Misenum and Liternum. The museum houses a collection of artefacts, including sculptures, inscriptions, architectural coroplastics, terracotta figures, pottery, metal and glass items, gold jewellery and coins, which have been reunited with contexts from recent excavations in the Phlegraean territory. These artefacts were previously held in the deposits of the National Archaeological Museum in Naples and represent the remains of ancient finds of Phlegraean origin. In the former soldiers' dormitories of the fortress, which are arranged in a continuous sequence on two levels, the visit commences with the section dedicated to Cumae, which is located on the second level and comprises twenty-four rooms. The history of the site is illustrated in these rooms, from the Opium settlement of the 9th century BC to the Greek and then Italic-Roman city, up to the late ancient age.
The presentation of findings from excavations conducted by the Soprintendenza in collaboration with the University of Naples 'Federico II' and 'L'Orientale' University and the Centre Jean Bérard provides a comprehensive account of the historical evolution of the Hellenic colony. This is achieved through the reconstruction of the urban topography, including the reconstruction of the walls. The exhibition also presents the evolution of the urban topography, including roads, sanctuaries and necropolises with rich grave goods, from the Greek phase proper, between the 8th and 5th centuries BC (Orientalising, Archaic and Classical periods) to the Samnite city in the 4th century BC (with a very rare frieze of metopes painted and triglyphs on a tomb). The exhibition then progresses chronologically through the various phases of the city's history, beginning with the Orientalising, Archaic and Classical periods. It then moves on to the Samnite city of the 4th century BC, where a very rare frieze of painted metopes and triglyphs from a temple building is exhibited. The subsequent section of the exhibition deals with the Hellenistic-Roman period, featuring sculptural and architectural finds from the public buildings of the Forum. Finally, the exhibition concludes with the last phase of occupation in the Byzantine period.

The section devoted to Puteoli, comprising twenty rooms on the first level, also exemplifies, in its intricate evolution, the history of the site. The initial urban expansion of the Augustan colony is evidenced by the presence of spectacle buildings, an aqueduct, and artefacts that attest to the cosmopolitan character assumed by the city. This is also reflected in the reconstruction of the Wady Minahy Cave in the Egyptian desert. The Neronian colony is characterised by a new urban layout that was desired by the emperors. In late antiquity, there was a revival, as evidenced by artefacts found in suburban villas and necropolises. The Rione Terra section can be visited on the Piazza d'Arme, where a display of objects from recent excavations in the Puteolian acropolis is also on show. The collection includes items related to the architectural decoration of the Capitolium and the sculptural decoration of other public buildings in the Augustan Forum. These include ideal statues, such as the splendid head copy of the Athena Lemnia by Phidias, a series of portraits from the Julio-Claudian period, and fragments pertaining to statues of caryatids and clypeus. These items are reminiscent of the attic of the Forum of Augustus in Rome, and a reconstruction hypothesis is proposed for this structure outside the museum.The section dedicated to Baiae and Misenum, on the other hand, includes a number of notable additions. These include the themed rooms from previous exhibitions, the reconstruction of the Sacellum of the Augustals from Misenum, the Nymphaeum of Punta Epitaffio, and ancient plaster casts made from Greek originals from the Classical and Hellenistic periods. The exhibition also includes the findings of the late-Republican Roman maritime villa, discovered under the Castle and the Knight's Pavilion. These comprise splendid mosaic and cocciopesto-decorated floors, as well as fragments of frescoes in the late Pompeian style. A separate section is also dedicated to Liternum, a maritime colony established in 194 BC. The exhibits include sculptures, inscriptions, grave goods, and artefacts of various types. These were recovered from both old excavations and new research conducted by the Superintendency. The research was carried out in various locations, including the urban quarters, the Forum area, the amphitheatre, the necropolis, and the area surrounding the ancient city.