The Palazzo Vitelleschi was built between 1436 and 1439 for the cardinal of Corneto, the former name of Tarquinia.
After the cardinal's death the palace was used as stopover for the popes.
Over time the Soderini family became its new owner and it was turned into a hotel.
In 1900 it was acquired by the city of Tarquinia, which donated it to the Italian state in 1916.
The state intended to use the palace for the current museum, which opened in 1924.
It was the result of the merger of the Municipal Collection and the private collection of the counts Bruschi-Falgari.
Over the time the collection was enriched by the numerous finds from the ancient city of Tarquinia and the Necropolis of Monterozzi.
The Palazzo Vitelleschi was built between 1436 and 1439 for the cardinal of Corneto, the former name of Tarquinia. After the cardinal's death the palace was used as stopover for the popes. Over time the Soderini family became its new owner and it was turned into a hotel. In 1900 it was acquired by the city of Tarquinia, which donated it to the Italian state in 1916. The state intended to use the palace for the current museum, which opened in 1924. It was the result of the merger of the Municipal Collection and the private collection of the counts Bruschi-Falgari. Over the time the collection was enriched by the numerous finds from the ancient city of Tarquinia and the Necropolis of Monterozzi.
Tarquinia National Museum