This usually crowd-free museum occupies the Castello di Baia, built in the late 15th century by the Aragonese as a defence against possible French invasion. Later enlarged by Spanish viceroy Don Pedro de Toledo, it served as a military orphanage for most of the 20th century. Today, it's home to an interesting collection of local archaeological treasures. Among the highlights is a bewitching nymphaeum, dredged up from underwater Baiae and skilfully reassembled.
Other highlights include a bronze equestrian statue of the Emperor Domitian (altered to resemble his more popular successor Nerva upon his deposition) as well as finds from Rione Terra. Due to funding and management issues, opening times and access to various parts of the collection are notoriously changeable; on our last visit, both the nymphaeum and the statue of Domitian were off-limits to visitors. Contact the museum for updates.
