The National Museum 'Giovanni Antonio Sanna'

In Sassari, a city that proudly preserves its identity, there is a place where all of Sardinia seems to find its voice. It is the “Giovanni Antonio Sanna” National Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum—one of the island’s most important cultural centers, capable of narrating millennia of history and offering a deep look into the roots of the Sardinian people.

Those who cross its threshold enter a world that goes far beyond display cases: it is a journey through the civilizations that have inhabited the island—from the mysterious Nuragic people to the Phoenicians, from the Romans to the medieval populations, and up to the more recent rural and pastoral culture. Each room is a chapter in a story that blends science, memory, and identity.

Origins of the Museum

The museum was founded in 1878 thanks to the legacy of Giovanni Antonio Sanna, a Sassari-born entrepreneur and patron, who wished to donate his collection of artifacts and artworks to his city. His idea was simple yet visionary: to create a place where Sardinia could recognize itself, where archaeology and history could engage with everyday life and folk traditions.

Over the years, the museum has grown into a reference point for research and the promotion of Sardinian heritage. Its archaeological collections span the entire chronological arc of the island, with artifacts from Nuragic villages, pre-Nuragic necropolises, and Roman colonies. Alongside these, the ethnographic section documents Sardinia’s tangible and intangible culture: costumes, jewelry, musical instruments, and everyday objects that tell the story of centuries past.

A Bridge Between Past and Present

Today, the Sanna Museum is a vibrant and open space that combines scientific research with public engagement. Its halls regularly host temporary exhibitions, school workshops, lectures, and sensory experiences designed to make history accessible to all. Recently restored and modernized, the museum offers a contemporary experience that merges scholarly depth with the beauty of presentation.

Visiting it reveals that Sardinia is not only a land of sea and nuraghi, but also of gestures, rituals, knowledge, and memories that still define its most authentic identity.

Useful Information

Location: 
“Giovanni Antonio Sanna” National Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum – Via Roma 64, Sassari (SS)

Opening Hours (subject to seasonal changes): 
Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Monday: Closed

Admission Fees: 
Full: €6
Reduced: €2 (ages 18–25)
Free entry for under 18s and categories specified by the Ministry of Culture

How to Get There:

• By car: From Cagliari or Olbia, take the SS131 to Sassari; the museum is in the city center, with parking available nearby.
• By train: Trenitalia connections to Sassari from Cagliari, Oristano, and Olbia; the museum is about a 15-minute walk from the station.
• By bus: Urban lines with stops on Via Roma or Piazza d’Italia.

Cover photo: Museo Sanna in Sassari