Museo Egizio
Good for: Egyptology Enthusiasts · History Enthusiasts · Families
1824
Museum Founded
36,000+
Egyptian Artefacts
3–4 hours
Recommended Visit
Quick answer
Museo Egizio in Turin, Italy — founded by King Carlo Felice in 1824, the Museo Egizio holds more than thirty-thousand objects from the Nile Valley. Open Daily: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM (Mondays from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM). Admission: €18 standard admission. Book timed-entry tickets ahead in peak season. World Museum Guide covers the highlights, getting there, and how long to allow (3–4 hours).
Verified 2026-06-30 against official sources.
About Museo Egizio
The Museo Egizio in Turin holds the world's oldest Egyptian museum and the second-largest Egyptian collection outside Cairo. Founded in 1824 from the collection of Piedmontese diplomat Bernardino Drovetti, it was reorganised in 2015 by Oscar-winning set designer Dante Ferretti.
The museum's 36,000 artefacts span 4,000 years of Egyptian civilisation. Highlights include the Temple of Ellesiya (gifted by Egypt in 1966), the Turin King List papyrus, a vast gallery of daily-life objects, and an entire rock-cut tomb reconstructed inside the museum.
Turin's connection to Egypt deepened when the Savoy dynasty supported Napoleon's expedition and acquired Drovetti's collection. The 2015 renovation tripled display space and added immersive displays while preserving the museum's scholarly reputation.
The museum sits on Via Accademia delle Scienze in central Turin, near the Palazzo Reale and Piazza Castello, making it the centrepiece of any Turin visit.
3–4 hours highlights route
A focused route through 5 must-see highlights at Museo Egizio without museum fatigue. · 3–4 hours
- 1
Statue of Ramses II
📍 Gallery of Kings
A granite colossus of Ramses II, one of the most imposing royal statues in any Egyptian collection outside Egypt.
- 2
Temple of Ellesiya
📍 Temple Gallery, Ground Floor
A complete Nubian rock-cut temple relocated and reassembled inside the museum, gifted by Egypt in gratitude for UNESCO rescue efforts.
- 3
Turin King List
📍 Papyrus Gallery
A papyrus listing Egyptian pharaohs from the earliest dynasties — among the most important historical documents of ancient Egypt.
- 4
Tomb of Kha and Merit
📍 Tomb Gallery
The intact tomb of a royal architect and his wife, with furniture, clothing, cosmetics, and food preserved and displayed in situ.
- 5
Book of the Dead of Kha
📍 Papyrus Gallery
A beautifully illustrated papyrus from the tomb of Kha, showing the deceased's journey through the afterlife.
Masterworks & must-see highlights
The works that define Museo Egizio — and why they matter.
Statue of Ramses II
Ancient Egyptian sculptors · 13th century BCE
📍 Gallery of Kings
A granite colossus of Ramses II, one of the most imposing royal statues in any Egyptian collection outside Egypt.
Temple of Ellesiya
Thutmose III · 15th century BCE
📍 Temple Gallery, Ground Floor
A complete Nubian rock-cut temple relocated and reassembled inside the museum, gifted by Egypt in gratitude for UNESCO rescue efforts.
Turin King List
Unknown scribe · 13th century BCE
📍 Papyrus Gallery
A papyrus listing Egyptian pharaohs from the earliest dynasties — among the most important historical documents of ancient Egypt.
Tomb of Kha and Merit
Deir el-Medina craftsmen · 18th dynasty
📍 Tomb Gallery
The intact tomb of a royal architect and his wife, with furniture, clothing, cosmetics, and food preserved and displayed in situ.
Book of the Dead of Kha
Unknown · 18th dynasty
📍 Papyrus Gallery
A beautifully illustrated papyrus from the tomb of Kha, showing the deceased's journey through the afterlife.
Collections & highlights
- • Temple of Ellesiya — complete Nubian temple
- • Turin King List papyrus
- • Tomb of Kha and Merit — intact burial
- • Statue of Ramses II
- • Daily life objects — cosmetics, food, furniture
- • Book of the Dead papyri
- • Predynastic and early dynastic artefacts
- • Coptic and late antique Egypt
Frequently asked questions
How long is the visit?
Plan at least two to three hours — the collection is enormous.
Is Turin worth visiting beyond the museum?
Yes — Turin's elegant porticoed centre, royal residences, and cafés are part of the experience.
How long should I spend at Museo Egizio?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.
What is Museo Egizio best known for?
Founded by King Carlo Felice in 1824, the Museo Egizio holds more than thirty-thousand objects from the Nile Valley. The Italian Egyptologist Ernesto Schiaparelli expanded the collection through major excavations between 1900 and 1920. Key highlights include Statuary of the New Kingdom, Tomb of Kha and Merit, Papyrus collection.
How do I get tickets for Museo Egizio?
€18 standard admission Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://museoegizio.it/en/
Is this better than the Egyptian Museum in Cairo?
Cairo is larger, but Turin's collection is better displayed and organised after the 2015 renovation. The tomb of Kha is unique — no equivalent exists in Cairo's public galleries.
How long should I allow?
Allow at least three hours — the tomb of Kha, Temple of Ellesiya, and papyrus galleries each deserve unhurried attention.
Is the museum in Italian only?
Major galleries have English labels and the audio guide is available in multiple languages including English.
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