The Venus of the National Archaeological Museum “Santa Chiara” in Venafro
The National Archaeological Museum of Venafro is a precious treasure chest “housed” in the historic center of the city.
It is located in the 17th-century monastery of Santa Chiara, from which the museum takes its local nickname. Inside, visitors can relive the beginnings of Roman Venafrum, strolling among frescoes, mosaics, and ceramics.
One can imagine stepping into the domus of that era, admiring statues of emperors and deities, until reaching the most important artifact of all: the “Venus of Venafro.”
The journey doesn’t end there, continuing with the discovery of priceless medieval artifacts.
The museum also holds prehistoric relics from not only the city of Venafro but the entire Volturno Valley. Among these, there is a particularly moving exhibit of an infant who lived over 8,000 years ago.
The museum also showcases discoveries from excavations at San Vincenzo al Volturno and its abbey, which played a significant role during the Middle Ages.
The Venus of Venafro
As mentioned, the museum’s most prized artifact is the Venus of Venafro.
It is said that the city’s name stems from the union of the names Venus and Aphrodite. While it’s uncertain whether this is merely a legend, it is enchanting to imagine its truth when gazing at this statue.
The Venus is one of many replicas of the Cnidian Aphrodite by the Greek sculptor Praxiteles. A masterpiece of Roman sculpture from the Antonine period, the marble statue originally adorned a fountain.
Today, it continues to captivate visitors with its soft forms and radiant whiteness.
The Samnite Necropolis of Pozzilli
Naturally, the museum also features relics from the Samnite period.
The most significant finds come from a necropolis unearthed in nearby Pozzilli, spanning from the 6th century BC to the 4th century BC.
Among the discoveries are javelins, spears, and fibulae, as well as a collection of ceramics from other regions.
The black bucchero ceramics were produced in Capua, while the red bucchero came from northern Campania and southern Lazio, indicating thriving trade networks between these territories.
A tomb, likely belonging to a person of high social status, has been reconstructed inside the Santa Chiara museum.
A Chess Game Over a Millennium Old
After delving into the history of the Samnites and Roman Venafrum, the journey continues, leaving behind gladiators and goddesses to encounter medieval dames and jesters.
The museum houses a medieval treasure: Europe’s oldest chess pieces.
Discovered during excavations in 1932, the pieces were initially thought to be Roman. However, subsequent studies confirmed their medieval origin.
They are a remarkable testament to the Arab presence in Venafro, which was occupied by the Emir of Bari between the 9th and 10th centuries AD.
Eighteen pieces from the set are preserved in the museum, displayed in a case directly in front of the Venus.
Other Artifacts of the Archaeological Museum of Venafro
Among the museum’s other treasures, a notable mention goes to the Edict of Augustus, an epigraphic document dating back to the construction of the aqueduct.
This aqueduct, spanning approximately 30 kilometers, brought water directly to Venafro from the Volturno springs.
On the second floor of the museum, visitors can admire another exceptional artifact: an alabaster altarpiece of English origin.
This rare example of an altarpiece from across the English Channel is one of the few such works found in Italy.
