The Archaeological Museum of Aidone and the Goddess of Morgantina
The Archaeological Museum of Aidone and the Goddess of Morgantina
A Journey into Sicily’s Archaeological Heritage: The Aidone Museum and the Goddess of Morgantina, Between Myth and Millennia of History
A Journey into Sicily’s Archaeological Heritage: The Aidone Museum and the Goddess of Morgantina, Between Myth and Millennia of History
Text and Photos by Marco Crupi

Nestled in the heart of Sicily, among the rolling hills of the province of Enna, lies the Regional Archaeological Museum of Aidone, a true treasure trove of artifacts from the ancient city of Morgantina. This museum houses invaluable relics, including the famous statue of the Goddess of Morgantina, a symbol of a rich historical and cultural heritage that tells the story of centuries of civilizations and conquests.
History of the Aidone Archaeological Museum

Interior of the Church of San Francesco attached to the Aidone Archaeological Museum, featuring Baroque frescoes and furnishings.
The Aidone Archaeological Museum was inaugurated in 1984 within the charming 17th-century Capuchin convent, located next to the Church of San Francesco. Its establishment aimed to collect and preserve the numerous archaeological finds unearthed from excavations at the nearby Morgantina site. Today, the museum narrates the history of Morgantina from prehistoric times to the Roman-Republican era, through an exhibition spread across eleven rooms, organized chronologically and thematically.
The City of Morgantina
Morgantina was an important indigenous Sicilian center that gradually underwent Hellenization from the 6th century BC, reaching its peak during the Hellenistic period. Strategically located along Sicily’s internal trade routes, the city thrived economically and culturally. Archaeological excavations have uncovered numerous architectural remains, including the agora, residential quarters, and various public and religious buildings, showcasing the wealth and complexity of Morgantina’s society.
Museum Collections

The Aidone Archaeological Museum boasts an extraordinary collection that spans a vast chronological range, from the earliest human settlements in the area to the Roman era.
- Prehistoric and Protohistoric Artifacts: Exhibits include lithic tools such as polished basalt stone axes, spindle whorls, and ceramics from the Castelluccian village settlement, illustrating the region’s early agricultural and craft activities.
- Sicilian and Archaic Greek Periods: This section features acroterial ceramics with distinctive shapes, decorated antefixes from religious buildings, and large pithoi used for storing grain and other agricultural products.
- Classical and Hellenistic Periods: One of the most fascinating aspects of the exhibition is the collection of terracotta figurines from necropolises and urban sanctuaries, including impressive busts of Persephone, the primary deity of the local cult.
- Everyday Life Objects: The museum displays domestic utensils, agricultural tools, and votive offerings, providing a vivid glimpse into the daily lives of Morgantina’s inhabitants.

The Goddess of Morgantina

The undisputed highlight of the museum is the magnificent statue of the Goddess of Morgantina, a masterpiece of rare beauty and historical significance.
- Description of the Statue: Standing approximately 2.24 meters tall, the statue portrays a female deity draped in rich folds of fabric that gracefully reveal the underlying form. Crafted using the pseudo-acrolithic technique, it features naked parts sculpted in Parian marble, while the rest is made of local limestone, creating a striking contrast of materials. The limestone body, once likely painted, harmoniously complements the head, arms, and feet, which are carved from fine Greek marble. The statue is finished on all sides, suggesting it was originally displayed in the center of a space, possibly an as-yet-unidentified sanctuary.
- History and Repatriation: Dating back to the 5th century BC, the statue was looted from the Morgantina archaeological site between the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was later sold to the Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, which acquired it in 1988 for 28 billion lire. After a lengthy legal battle between Italy and the United States, the Goddess was returned to Italy in 2011, finally making her way back to Sicily, where she was warmly welcomed with great pride and celebration.
This statue represents a pinnacle of classical Greek art and is an archaeological treasure of immense artistic and economic value.
Other Treasures of the Museum
In addition to the renowned statue, the museum houses other remarkable artifacts, such as the famed Morgantina silverware, a collection of exquisitely crafted items dating back to the 3rd century BC, and the acroliths of Demeter and Kore, which underscore the city’s strong religious connection to the worship of female deities.
Visiting the Museum: Opening Hours, Admission Fees and Directions
The Regional Archaeological Museum of Aidone is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with closing at 7:00 PM. General admission is €8.00, while a reduced ticket is available for €4.00. A combined ticket can be purchased, which includes access to the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, the Morgantina Archaeological Area, and the Aidone Archaeological Museum.
The museum is located at Largo Torres Truppia 1, Aidone (EN), ZIP code 94010. It is recommended to visit by private car or local public transport services. For further information, visitors can contact the museum at +39 0935 87307 or via email at parco.archeo.villacasale@regione.sicilia.it.
Location on the Map
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The Archaeological Museum of Aidone and the Goddess of Morgantina
The Archaeological Museum of Aidone and the Goddess of Morgantina
A Journey into Sicily’s Archaeological Heritage: The Aidone Museum and the Goddess of Morgantina, Between Myth and Millennia of History
A Journey into Sicily’s Archaeological Heritage: The Aidone Museum and the Goddess of Morgantina, Between Myth and Millennia of History
Text and Photos by Marco Crupi

Nestled in the heart of Sicily, among the rolling hills of the province of Enna, lies the Regional Archaeological Museum of Aidone, a true treasure trove of artifacts from the ancient city of Morgantina. This museum houses invaluable relics, including the famous statue of the Goddess of Morgantina, a symbol of a rich historical and cultural heritage that tells the story of centuries of civilizations and conquests.
History of the Aidone Archaeological Museum

Interior of the Church of San Francesco attached to the Aidone Archaeological Museum, featuring Baroque frescoes and furnishings.
The Aidone Archaeological Museum was inaugurated in 1984 within the charming 17th-century Capuchin convent, located next to the Church of San Francesco. Its establishment aimed to collect and preserve the numerous archaeological finds unearthed from excavations at the nearby Morgantina site. Today, the museum narrates the history of Morgantina from prehistoric times to the Roman-Republican era, through an exhibition spread across eleven rooms, organized chronologically and thematically.
The City of Morgantina
Morgantina was an important indigenous Sicilian center that gradually underwent Hellenization from the 6th century BC, reaching its peak during the Hellenistic period. Strategically located along Sicily’s internal trade routes, the city thrived economically and culturally. Archaeological excavations have uncovered numerous architectural remains, including the agora, residential quarters, and various public and religious buildings, showcasing the wealth and complexity of Morgantina’s society.
Museum Collections

The Aidone Archaeological Museum boasts an extraordinary collection that spans a vast chronological range, from the earliest human settlements in the area to the Roman era.
- Prehistoric and Protohistoric Artifacts: Exhibits include lithic tools such as polished basalt stone axes, spindle whorls, and ceramics from the Castelluccian village settlement, illustrating the region’s early agricultural and craft activities.
- Sicilian and Archaic Greek Periods: This section features acroterial ceramics with distinctive shapes, decorated antefixes from religious buildings, and large pithoi used for storing grain and other agricultural products.
- Classical and Hellenistic Periods: One of the most fascinating aspects of the exhibition is the collection of terracotta figurines from necropolises and urban sanctuaries, including impressive busts of Persephone, the primary deity of the local cult.
- Everyday Life Objects: The museum displays domestic utensils, agricultural tools, and votive offerings, providing a vivid glimpse into the daily lives of Morgantina’s inhabitants.

The Goddess of Morgantina

The undisputed highlight of the museum is the magnificent statue of the Goddess of Morgantina, a masterpiece of rare beauty and historical significance.
- Description of the Statue: Standing approximately 2.24 meters tall, the statue portrays a female deity draped in rich folds of fabric that gracefully reveal the underlying form. Crafted using the pseudo-acrolithic technique, it features naked parts sculpted in Parian marble, while the rest is made of local limestone, creating a striking contrast of materials. The limestone body, once likely painted, harmoniously complements the head, arms, and feet, which are carved from fine Greek marble. The statue is finished on all sides, suggesting it was originally displayed in the center of a space, possibly an as-yet-unidentified sanctuary.
- History and Repatriation: Dating back to the 5th century BC, the statue was looted from the Morgantina archaeological site between the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was later sold to the Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, which acquired it in 1988 for 28 billion lire. After a lengthy legal battle between Italy and the United States, the Goddess was returned to Italy in 2011, finally making her way back to Sicily, where she was warmly welcomed with great pride and celebration.
This statue represents a pinnacle of classical Greek art and is an archaeological treasure of immense artistic and economic value.
Other Treasures of the Museum
In addition to the renowned statue, the museum houses other remarkable artifacts, such as the famed Morgantina silverware, a collection of exquisitely crafted items dating back to the 3rd century BC, and the acroliths of Demeter and Kore, which underscore the city’s strong religious connection to the worship of female deities.
Visiting the Museum: Opening Hours, Admission Fees and Directions
The Regional Archaeological Museum of Aidone is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with closing at 7:00 PM. General admission is €8.00, while a reduced ticket is available for €4.00. A combined ticket can be purchased, which includes access to the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, the Morgantina Archaeological Area, and the Aidone Archaeological Museum.
The museum is located at Largo Torres Truppia 1, Aidone (EN), ZIP code 94010. It is recommended to visit by private car or local public transport services. For further information, visitors can contact the museum at +39 0935 87307 or via email at parco.archeo.villacasale@regione.sicilia.it.
Location on the Map
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
Related Posts
The Archaeological Museum of Aidone and the Goddess of Morgantina
The Archaeological Museum of Aidone and the Goddess of Morgantina
A Journey into Sicily’s Archaeological Heritage: The Aidone Museum and the Goddess of Morgantina, Between Myth and Millennia of History
A Journey into Sicily’s Archaeological Heritage: The Aidone Museum and the Goddess of Morgantina, Between Myth and Millennia of History
Text and Photos by Marco Crupi

Nestled in the heart of Sicily, among the rolling hills of the province of Enna, lies the Regional Archaeological Museum of Aidone, a true treasure trove of artifacts from the ancient city of Morgantina. This museum houses invaluable relics, including the famous statue of the Goddess of Morgantina, a symbol of a rich historical and cultural heritage that tells the story of centuries of civilizations and conquests.
History of the Aidone Archaeological Museum

Interior of the Church of San Francesco attached to the Aidone Archaeological Museum, featuring Baroque frescoes and furnishings.
The Aidone Archaeological Museum was inaugurated in 1984 within the charming 17th-century Capuchin convent, located next to the Church of San Francesco. Its establishment aimed to collect and preserve the numerous archaeological finds unearthed from excavations at the nearby Morgantina site. Today, the museum narrates the history of Morgantina from prehistoric times to the Roman-Republican era, through an exhibition spread across eleven rooms, organized chronologically and thematically.
The City of Morgantina
Morgantina was an important indigenous Sicilian center that gradually underwent Hellenization from the 6th century BC, reaching its peak during the Hellenistic period. Strategically located along Sicily’s internal trade routes, the city thrived economically and culturally. Archaeological excavations have uncovered numerous architectural remains, including the agora, residential quarters, and various public and religious buildings, showcasing the wealth and complexity of Morgantina’s society.
Museum Collections

The Aidone Archaeological Museum boasts an extraordinary collection that spans a vast chronological range, from the earliest human settlements in the area to the Roman era.
- Prehistoric and Protohistoric Artifacts: Exhibits include lithic tools such as polished basalt stone axes, spindle whorls, and ceramics from the Castelluccian village settlement, illustrating the region’s early agricultural and craft activities.
- Sicilian and Archaic Greek Periods: This section features acroterial ceramics with distinctive shapes, decorated antefixes from religious buildings, and large pithoi used for storing grain and other agricultural products.
- Classical and Hellenistic Periods: One of the most fascinating aspects of the exhibition is the collection of terracotta figurines from necropolises and urban sanctuaries, including impressive busts of Persephone, the primary deity of the local cult.
- Everyday Life Objects: The museum displays domestic utensils, agricultural tools, and votive offerings, providing a vivid glimpse into the daily lives of Morgantina’s inhabitants.

The Goddess of Morgantina

The undisputed highlight of the museum is the magnificent statue of the Goddess of Morgantina, a masterpiece of rare beauty and historical significance.
- Description of the Statue: Standing approximately 2.24 meters tall, the statue portrays a female deity draped in rich folds of fabric that gracefully reveal the underlying form. Crafted using the pseudo-acrolithic technique, it features naked parts sculpted in Parian marble, while the rest is made of local limestone, creating a striking contrast of materials. The limestone body, once likely painted, harmoniously complements the head, arms, and feet, which are carved from fine Greek marble. The statue is finished on all sides, suggesting it was originally displayed in the center of a space, possibly an as-yet-unidentified sanctuary.
- History and Repatriation: Dating back to the 5th century BC, the statue was looted from the Morgantina archaeological site between the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was later sold to the Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, which acquired it in 1988 for 28 billion lire. After a lengthy legal battle between Italy and the United States, the Goddess was returned to Italy in 2011, finally making her way back to Sicily, where she was warmly welcomed with great pride and celebration.
This statue represents a pinnacle of classical Greek art and is an archaeological treasure of immense artistic and economic value.
Other Treasures of the Museum
In addition to the renowned statue, the museum houses other remarkable artifacts, such as the famed Morgantina silverware, a collection of exquisitely crafted items dating back to the 3rd century BC, and the acroliths of Demeter and Kore, which underscore the city’s strong religious connection to the worship of female deities.
Visiting the Museum: Opening Hours, Admission Fees and Directions
The Regional Archaeological Museum of Aidone is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with closing at 7:00 PM. General admission is €8.00, while a reduced ticket is available for €4.00. A combined ticket can be purchased, which includes access to the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, the Morgantina Archaeological Area, and the Aidone Archaeological Museum.
The museum is located at Largo Torres Truppia 1, Aidone (EN), ZIP code 94010. It is recommended to visit by private car or local public transport services. For further information, visitors can contact the museum at +39 0935 87307 or via email at parco.archeo.villacasale@regione.sicilia.it.