Sapienza University Museum Network: 700 Years of Knowledge

The Polo Museale Sapienza (PMS) coordinates 20+ university museums at La Sapienza University in Rome, preserving collections spanning humanities and sciences. Director Claudia Carlucci describes the network's history, from the 1748 reform of Pope Benedict XIV that established the first scientific museums, to the 1892 founding of the oldest archaeological museum, the Museo dell'Arte Classica. The PMS motto 'Il futuro è passato qui' reflects its role in conserving scientific heritage while supporting current research. During the 2025 European Night of Museums, the PMS hosted seminars on illegal trafficking of archaeological artifacts, including the recovery of four painted terracotta slabs from the Etruscan city of Caere. Other events included the first display of the Cesati botanical collection at the Erbario, demonstrations of vertical hydroponic gardening at the Orto Botanico, and the exhibition 'Terra che sorpresa!' at the MUST museum. Carlucci emphasizes that the PMS aims to make knowledge accessible through direct, engaging experiences, targeting both students and the general public.