Regional Museum of Messina (Museo Regionale di Messina)
The Neptune at the entrance to the Regional Museum of Messina is a copy — the original bronze, cast by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli in 1557, is inside, spared the fate of almost everything else the 1908 earthquake took. That distinction matters here. This is a museum assembled from wreckage, 7,855 pieces gathered from the rubble of a city and housed now in a courtyard building on Viale della Libertà, fourteen rooms arranged around open air.
Two Caravaggios hang here — the «Resurrection of Lazarus» and «The Adoration of the Shepherds» — alongside Antonello da Messina's 1473 Polyptych of San Gregorio, one of the clearest windows into what the old city looked like before it vanished.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who come back tend to go straight to the Caravaggio rooms and slow down. The «Resurrection of Lazarus» is larger than most expect, and the light in that room rewards patience. The layout can disorient on a first visit — give yourself permission to wander the courtyard and reorient rather than fighting a fixed route.
The story behind Regional Museum of Messina (Museo Regionale di Messina)
The museum began in 1806 as the Museo civico peloritano, founded by the Reale Accademia Peloritana under its first director, Carmelo La Farina. The 1908 earthquake — one of the deadliest in European history — transformed its purpose entirely. Works salvaged from destroyed churches and palaces were gathered on the Spianata dei Greci and absorbed into the collection. A former silk mill, the Barbera-Mellinghoff filanda, became the museum's home; it was refurbished and opened in 1922 under director Enrico Mauceri, who produced the first inventory.
In 1977 the Regione Siciliana took over and the museum acquired its current name. The collection eventually moved into a purpose-built complex nearby, designed in the 1970s, and in November 2023 a permanent exhibition titled «1908 CittàMuseoCittà» opened, placing the earthquake and its aftermath at the centre of how the museum tells its own story.
Good to know
Take the tram to the Museo stop — it runs from near the Cathedral and drops you at the door. Tuesday through Saturday, mornings are quietest. Budget at least four hours. The first Sunday of the month is free but busier. Closed Mondays. No café on site, so eat before you arrive.
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What travellers say about Regional Museum of Messina (Museo Regionale di Messina)
Stunning Caravaggio’s, the architecture and visit path of this museum are a true gem, peaceful and rich of cultural treasures, absolutely worth a visit. Coming to Messina since ever I could not believe such a beautiful place existed, I can’t wait to visit it again and to recommend it to friends and family.
I was here with a group of international students and I can say this museum is amazing. The bigger part has a lot of paintings and artifacts inspired by history and religion and it's huge, it has muktiple floors, for a person who knows a lot about art this place would be heaven. The other part talks about the important earthquake that struck messina in 1908, it has interesting tech like 360 glasses, audio guide and more, that part even though small might have been my favourite, the whole story really leaves you under an impression for some time. I highly recommend both of them!
It's even interesting to walk from center of Messina to museum, by coastline (of course, there is bus line for others). Museum is at nice place, modern and functional building, and there are many impressive artworks, don't mention there are two CARAVAGGIO masterpieces (Adoration of Shepherds, Rising of Lazarus) , worth enough to visit museum. Nice atmosphere, part of "must see" places In Messina.
It is definitely worth to pay a visit for Caravaggio alone. There are also other masterpieces inside. I would recommend at least 4 hours for the visit.
This museum was a complete surprise! The art and sculpture is organised chronologically so that you get a fine sense of the city's history. It is spacious and not overwhelming. There were many beautiful works to admire and so few people. The Caravaggio paintings had their own room with a comfortable long sofa allowing you to really spend time with the works. An exceptional experience.
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