Museum of Ancient Ships
Museum of Ancient Ships features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Pisa. Give it roughly ~90 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type museum
- Suggested visit ~90 min
- Pisa Pisa guide
About Museum of Ancient Ships
In 1998, construction workers near Pisa's San Rossore station unearthed one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries in Italy, a fleet of 30 ancient ships perfectly preserved in the riverbed, spanning the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD.
In November 1998, during excavation work for a new building near the San Rossore railway station in Pisa, construction workers struck wood in the ground and discovered what would prove to be one of the most significant archaeological finds in Italian history: the remains of 30 ancient ships, preserved almost intact in the sediment of the ancient Arno riverbed. The ships range in date from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD and include a variety of vessel types: river boats, coastal trading vessels, cargo ships, and at least one warship.
The ships had been buried by successive floods, which deposited oxygen-free silt around them, preventing the decay that would normally destroy organic material. Their cargoes were found in place, amphorae, rope, fish sauce, tools, even fruit seeds, providing an unparalleled snapshot of ancient maritime life. The ongoing conservation and display project takes place in the Arsenale Mediceo (Medicean Arsenal) near the Arno. This is one of the most important maritime archaeology projects in Europe.
Did you know? The ancient ships found at San Rossore in 1998 were preserved because successive Arno floods buried them in oxygen-free silt, meaning that the very disasters that sank them also created the perfect conditions for their survival for 2,000 years.
How long is a visit to Museum of Ancient Ships?
Set aside roughly ~90 min for Museum of Ancient Ships. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Museum of Ancient Ships worth your time?
Museum of Ancient Ships is among the 18 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Pisa, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Pisa
Hear the story of Museum of Ancient Ships
Preview the Pisa tour free in the Gingerguide app.