Museo Civico del Lucus Bormani
Museum | Diano Marina | Liguria | Italy
The Museo Civico del Lucus Bormani in Diano Marina, Liguria, is a significant archaeological museum that presents the history and culture of the region from prehistoric to Roman times. It is located in the Palazzo del Parco, an elegant late 19th-century building that also houses the city library and an exhibition space.
The museum's collection is divided into several thematic rooms that provide a comprehensive overview of the history of the Gulf of Diano Marina:
Room 1 - The never-ending story: This entrance hall presents the oldest finds from the area, including fossils, tools, and animal bones from the Paleolithic, as well as a paleo-ethnological collection.
Room 2 - The first settlement: Here, finds from the Bronze Age are displayed, indicating a significant coastal settlement in the region.
Room 3 - The ancient Ligurians: This hall documents the settlement of the area during the Iron Age and the time just before Romanization, with finds such as two hearths from Via Villebone in Diano Marina.
Room 4 - 553 miles from Rome: This exhibition sheds light on the Roman presence in the region, particularly the Lucus Bormani, a mansio along the Via Iulia Augusta, and displays a milestone resin limestone found in Chiappa, a district of San Bartolomeo al Mare.
Room 5 - The journey: This space is dedicated to trade and transport in ancient Liguria, including the shipwreck of Diano Marina, a Dolia ship that sank in the Gulf of Diano Marina around the 1st century AD.
Room 7 - The rest stop: Archaeological finds are presented here that point to Lucus Bormani as a rest stop along the Via Iulia Augusta, including ceramics and glassware from the excavations in La Rovere in San Bartolomeo al Mare.
Room 8 - The sacred grove: This hall explores the religious practices of the region, particularly the cult of Bormanus, who was worshipped in a sacred grove, and his transformation into the cult of Diana during Roman times.
Room 9 - The life: Finally, finds are presented that document daily life in Roman Lucus Bormani, including household items and personal belongings.
The museum offers a deep insight into the history and culture of the region and is a valuable place for anyone interested in the ancient history of Liguria.
