The Roman ship's cargo was discovered by chance in 1981 during land reclamation works in the Comacchio Valley.
The ship is nicknamed 'Fortuna Maris' and is considered one of the most important Roman maritime archaeological finds in the Mediterranean.
The museum building was designed by architect Antonio Foschini and served as a hospital for over two centuries.
Exhibits include rare evidence of ancient surgical instruments found within the territory.
The museum displays artifacts spanning from the Bronze Age to the late Roman period.
The collection features extensive Attic pottery imported to Spina from ancient Greece.
Museo Delta Antico is housed in the neoclassical Ospedale degli Infermi, a former 18th-century hospital located in Comacchio. The museum focuses on the archeological history of the Po Delta and the ancient city of Spina. Its central exhibit is the cargo of a Roman merchant ship discovered in the Comacchio Valley, dating back to the late 1st century BC. The collection features over 2,000 artifacts including ceramics, amber, and bronze tools recovered from the seabed. Visitors explore the evolution of the landscape, trade routes, and the Etruscan civilization's connection to the Adriatic Sea. The architecture of the museum preserves the original layout of the hospital's wards and corridors. The museum serves as the primary repository for archaeological findings from the surrounding coastal wetlands.
The internal central courtyard and the main gallery featuring the reconstructed layout of the Roman ship.
Download the museum's app or use the provided QR codes for digital guided commentary during your visit.
Check the museum's website for temporary exhibitions that often showcase recent local archaeological digs.
Visit the nearby Archaeological Area of Spina to complement your experience with outdoor site history.
Do not attempt to navigate the town center by car, as it is restricted and parking is located on the periphery.
Closed on Mondays during the winter season.
Maintain a quiet volume; flash photography is generally prohibited to protect light-sensitive artifacts.
