History
The foundation of the Museum is closely linked to the extraordinary archaeological richness of the Finalese territory. This area, characterized by a complex system of caves and rock shelters, is a natural archive that has preserved traces of human settlement for over 350,000 years, from the Paleolithic period to the Roman and medieval eras.
Starting in the second half of the 19th century, interest in local sites (such as the famous Grotta delle Fate and Grotta Pollera) led to an intense phase of research and systematic excavations. The accumulation of an invaluable archaeological heritage—resulting from more than a century of discoveries by distinguished scholars and enthusiasts—soon made it necessary to create a dedicated institution capable of preserving, studying, and properly exhibiting this legacy, making it accessible to the public.
The first formal step toward establishing the museum dates to 1931, with the foundation of the Civic Museum of Finale, directed by Cav. Uff. Prof. Andrea Silla. This early institution served as a collection point and first public exhibition space for the extensive materials that had previously been dispersed or kept in private collections.
The museum achieved its definitive form and current location only decades later. After a long period of decline—culminating in its use as a prison between 1865 and 1965—the monumental complex of Santa Caterina in Finalborgo underwent major restoration work. In this context, the Archaeological Museum was re-established and inaugurated between 1976 and 1977, largely thanks to the efforts of its then- director Oscar Giuggiola. This relocation allowed for a more coherent and expansive exhibition layout, giving the prehistoric and archaeological collections the historical setting and visibility they deserved.
Today, the municipally owned museum is managed by the Finalese Section of the Istituto Internazionale di Studi Liguri (IISL), confirming its scientific vocation and its role as a center for research on the territory.