Most of the cities we’ve visited during our travels are proud of their roots and background, touting it by means of a “History Museum.” As the oldest city in France, Marseilles delights in its 26 centuries of history . Located near the Old Port, the History Museum of Marseilles is considered to be the biggest in all of Europe.
Opened in 1983, it is the first town history museum in all of France, displaying major artifacts discovered when the site was excavated in 1967 to make way for the “Centre Bourse” shopping mall. Its 4000 exhibits provide insight into life within the city over the centuries, from its founding by the Greeks in 600 BC up to the 18th century. According to many scholars, the museum’s most famous exhibit is the 2nd century ship’s hull. This is considered to be the best preserved vessel from this time period in the world.
For us, one of the more unique features here is the on-going archeological dig in the gardens just outside the museum’s main entrance. What fantastic ruins!
Opened in 1983, it is the first town history museum in all of France, displaying major artifacts discovered when the site was excavated in 1967 to make way for the “Centre Bourse” shopping mall. Its 4000 exhibits provide insight into life within the city over the centuries, from its founding by the Greeks in 600 BC up to the 18th century. According to many scholars, the museum’s most famous exhibit is the 2nd century ship’s hull. This is considered to be the best preserved vessel from this time period in the world.
For us, one of the more unique features here is the on-going archeological dig in the gardens just outside the museum’s main entrance. What fantastic ruins!
During 1967 excavations of this site for the purpose of constructing the Center Bourse Shopping mall, ancient ruins were discovered. An agreement was reached to continue with construction of the shopping center as long as the ruins could be fully explored and a history museum created on the lower level of the mall.
The History Museum of Marseilles was finally opened in 1983
Many consider this 2nd century ship’s hull to be the best preserved vessel of its era in the world.
After much research, archeologists created this model of what the ship probably looked like during its lifetime.
From what the archeologists have uncovered so far on this site, they have created this model of what existed here several centuries ago.
The exhibit areas are quite spacious and well laid out.
Created around the third century BC, this two-headed sculpture is still very detailed.
We loved the workmanship on this third century AD tomb!
Can you imagine how much work it must have taken to work this camera?
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