The Museo dell’Arte Salvata (Museum of Rescued Art) reopens displaying archaeological treasures looted from Italian soil and later recovered from abroad. The museum, based in the Octagonal Hall at the Baths of Diocletian, reopened on Thursday after closing shortly following its 2022 launch.
The current exhibition, Nuovi Recuperi, presents more than 100 artefacts illegally trafficked overseas and later returned thanks to the Carabinieri’s art protection unit.
The displayed pieces date from the 9th century BC to the 3rd century AD. They were recovered over the past three years.
They were previously hidden in private collections, museums, and auction houses in countries including the US and several across Europe.
The Carabinieri’s TPC (Protection of Cultural Heritage) unit tracked them down using traditional investigations and modern technology, including artificial intelligence.
Highlights include alabaster Etruscan urn faces from Città della Pieve, a bronze statue returned from Belgium, and Hellenistic artefacts from Ardea. Visitors will also see Greek and Etruscan bronze weapons, Magna Graecia terracottas, Roman silverware, marble theatre masks, and gold jewellery.
Some items come from outside Italy, such as amulets, seals, and fabrics from Egypt and Syria, awaiting return to their countries of origin.
Giving “a voice” to rescued works
The Museum of Rescued Art dedicates a special section to “spontaneous deliveries” – items handed back by citizens aware of their cultural value.
Curator Alfonsina Russo called the exhibition a way to give rescued works “a voice” after years in obscurity.
General Francesco Gargano, head of the TPC, said the unit has recovered three million stolen objects over 55 years. However, 1.3 million works remain missing. The force now uses AI systems, like SWOADS, to improve recovery efforts.
The exhibition results from cooperation between the Carabinieri, the National Roman Museum, and Italy’s Department for Cultural Heritage.
Admission to the museum is free until 31 August. From 1 September, entry will be included in the National Roman Museum ticket.
The museum sits just off Piazza della Repubblica in central Rome, offering a powerful display of Italy’s reclaimed cultural heritage.
