Museum of Roman Docks

According to a legend put forth by Aristotle, prior to the founding of Marseilles (in 600 BC), the region was home to a Celto-Ligurian people (a mixture of Celts and Greeks). A young Greek sailor, who was exploring the Mediteranian coast west of Italy, landed in what would become Marseilles and fell in love with a lady named “Gypis,” the daughter of a local chieftain. Following their marriage, the couple was granted a dowry of land . As more Greeks arrived, the first settlement developed in an area that is today known as “Panier” (or Old Town). This settlement was originally called “Marsalia,” Trade links and more inter-marriages developed and the region became a prosperous trading port. During the first century, the Romans moved in (destroying the original settlement) and controlled the area for the next several centuries. By the beginning of the tenth century, the Dukes of Provence came to power and restored Marseilles’ influence, making it an important wine trade center.
With the onset of World War II, much of Marseilles was damaged by Allied bombings. Once the war had ended, an extensive rebuilding campaign commenced. In 1947, excavation work associated with the reconstruction of the city, revealed the ruins of an ancient Roman shipping warehouse, located west of the Old Port, between City Hall and the Marseilles Cathedral. These ruins are one of only a few Roman commercial warehouses remaining in the world.
Eventually, the ruins were converted into a small museum, known as the “Museum of Roman Docks.” It’s exhibits depict discoveries of the ancient city made during the rebuilding process, including artifacts discovered from amongst shipwrecks in the harbor area. These artifacts include a large selection of amphora vessels, along with rare ceramic jugs known as “dolias” (many from the fifth century BC) belonging to the ancient tribes of the region.
Opened in 1963, the Museum of Roman Docks have several exhibits that trace the history of trade with Rome, including the ancient system of weights and measures. While exploring this smallish museum will not encompass the expenditure of a tremendous amount of time, the learning experience gleaned from its exhibits is well worth it.

While the small Museum of Roman Docks is a little hard to find, it is well worth a visit. Its exhibits trace the history of trade between Marseilles and Rome.

This model depicts how Roman shipping warehouses may have looked during their heyday.

Part of the museum’s exhibits focus on items discovered on shipwrecks in and around the city’s harbor.

Cargo ships, such as depicted in this model, helped to make Marseilles an important trade center throughout the Mediterranean.

Among the items retrieved from the shipwrecks was a large selection of amphora (fired clay earthenware used to store and transport wine, and oils).

There is an excellent collection of amphorae of various shapes and sizes in the museum.

Also among the collections are a series of very large jugs, known as “Dolia” - also fired earthenware but without handles.

Amazingly, fired clay plates were found intact in several excavation sites.