Museum of Ancient Ships, Pisa

The Museum of Ancient Ships in Pisa offers a fascinating glimpse into Roman maritime life, displaying the remarkably well-preserved remains of ships and their cargoes discovered during excavations for a new railway line in the late 1990s. The site, known as the 'Pisa Roman Ships,' revealed a fleet of vessels that sank in a series of floods between the 2nd century BC and the 5th century AD, buried in silt that preserved wood, ropes, and even food items. The museum, housed in the historic Medici Arsenals, presents these ships in a dramatic setting, with walkways allowing close views of the hulls. Exhibits include amphorae, tools, and personal items, offering insights into trade routes and daily life. The highlight is the full-scale reconstruction of a Roman merchant ship, alongside the original timbers.

Don't miss

• The original hull of the 'C' ship, a 2nd-century Roman merchant vessel
• Reconstructed full-scale Roman ship model
• Cargo items like amphorae, nuts, and leather goods
• Interactive displays on ancient shipbuilding

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Museum of Ancient Ships, Pisa

Cheapest way inFrom Livorno to Pisa on your own with optional Leaning Tower Ticket4★ · 227 travelers~4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$22 per personSee dates →Most bookedBoston Tea Party Ships and Museum Admission4.7★ · 2,746 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$36 per personSee dates →Private & flexiblePrivate Tour from Rome to Pisa and Florence with Tower of Pisa5★ · 42 travelers~14 hoursFree cancellationFrom$300 per personSee dates →