Monteriggioni opens its first archaeological museum in Abbadia a Isola

The Museo Archeologico di Monteriggioni (MaM) opened on July 22, 2023, in the hamlet of Abbadia a Isola, near Siena. Housed within the monumental complex of the local abbey, the museum features a fully restored ancient cloister and exhibition spaces that trace the area's history from the Middle Ages to Protohistory. The permanent collection includes the 'Uomo del Chiostraccio,' an Etruscan skeleton discovered in 1962 once considered the oldest known Tuscan human remains, and the tomb of Calisna Sepu from the Casone necropolis, unearthed in 1893. The exhibition was curated by Giacomo Baldini and begins in the 'Tinaia' (traditional wine-making rooms), continues through the cloister and church, and culminates in first-floor galleries. Mayor Andrea Frosini called the museum a source of pride and a driver for research and heritage valorization. Councillor for Culture Marco Valenti outlined future plans including restoration of a tower on the walls, development of adjacent areas, construction of a multi-functional conference hall, and opening of a café. The museum aims to foster cultural growth and a sense of belonging, particularly for younger generations.