Founded by local historian and archaeologist Federico Eusebio as a single-room historical collection, Alba's civic museum has expanded over the decades to occupy the 19th-century wing of a former convent in the Maddalena complex, located in the town's historic center.
What to see
The display covers 21 exhibition halls divided into two primary departments. The archaeological section forms the museum's core, featuring Neolithic artifacts excavated around Alba alongside a Roman collection that illustrates the daily life and prosperity of ancient Alba Pompeia. The natural science section, established in 1972, covers the geology, zoology, and botany of Alba, the Langhe, and the Roero hills. Due to the scale of these natural history collections, only five percent of the items are on public display at any time, with the selection updated periodically.
Visiting
Housed in the Maddalena complex following its move in 1976 and a major expansion in 2000, the museum provides a structured walk through local history and nature. The complete reserve collection remains fully accessible to researchers.
Our editors' tip
Because only five percent of the natural science collection is on display at once, the rotated exhibits mean returning visitors can often view entirely different specimens from the museum's archives.