Lipari, the largest island of the Aeolian Islands, boasts not only splendid landscapes but also a very rich history. At the center of this historical route is the Lipari Museum.
The museum testifies to the history of the island, from ancient times to the present day .The museum complex is situated upon the “ Castello” of Lipari, a kind of a natural fortress, used by populations settled down on the island to defend themselves from attacks.
Luigi Bernabò Brea and Madeline Cavalier, two archaeologists, founded this museum around the 1950.
The museum’s exhibitions are carefully curated to showcase Lipari’s diverse cultural heritage.
It is divided into six areas, which are:
⦁ the pre-historic section,
⦁ the epigraphic section,
⦁ the classic section,
⦁ the section of the minor islands,
⦁ the volcanologic section,
⦁ the paleontological section.
The archaeological section reveals finds dating back to the Bronze Age, from ceramics to ancient tools, each artefact tells a unique story of the people who lived on the island many centuries ago. One of the most significant collections is that of the Aeolian finds, which testifies to the islanders’ bond with the sea. Whether you are a history buff or a casual visitor, the Lipari Museum promises an enriching experience.
Just outside the museum is a large section of excavated walls dating back thousands of years, showing interesting changes in wall construction over the last few thousand years.
Next to the museum are the cathedral and cloisters of Lipari, interesting for the 11th century Norman cloister and the decorated ceiling of the cathedral.
