The National Archaeological Museum's huge red building, a cavalry barracks in the 16th century, is undergoing a seemingly permanent restoration program, which means that at any given time, rooms are likely to be closed to the public with little prior warning. The museum holds one of the world's great collections of Greek and Roman antiquities, including such extraordinary sculptures as the Hercules Farnese, an exquisite Aphrodite attributed to the fourth-century BC Greek sculptor Praxiteles, and an equestrian statue of Roman emperor Nerva. Vividly colored mosaics and countless artistic and household objects from Pompeii and Herculaneum provide insight into the life and art of ancient Rome. The Gabinetto Segreto and its collection of occasionally shocking erotic art is now permanently open, after being kept under lock and key for many years. Invest in an up-to-date printed museum guide or audio guide, because exhibits tend to be poorly labeled.
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