Museo archeologico nazionale di Firenze (National Archaeological Museum of Florence), Florence

Beneath the arched ceilings of the Archaeological Museum, you'll find yourself in the midst of ancient relics, ranging from Bronze Age axes to Roman pottery. The museum's standout feature is a remarkable collection of Etruscan artifacts excavated from tombs dating back to the glorious era of the Etruscans, spanning from the 7th to the 2nd century BC. (It's worth remembering that the Etruscans held sway over this region of Italy prior to the arrival of the Roman Empire in the 2nd century BC.)

The affluent Etruscans, in preparation for the afterlife, interred their exquisite treasures alongside them. During your visit, you'll encounter their currency, figurines, and terra-cotta funerary urns designed with standardized bodies but personalized heads. The Etruscans' painted pottery reflects Greek influences (as they engaged in trade with the Greeks), while their ultrarealistic portrait busts evoke a Roman aesthetic (reflecting their Latin neighbors to the south). The sarcophagi on display depict reclining figures atop their lids, serving as a testament to their elevated social status.