A contemporary art museum housed in the historic Carafa di Roccella palace, PAN showcases painting, sculpture, photography, design, video and cinema in a restored 6,000-square-meter venue across three floors.
At a glance
PAN (Palazzo delle Arti di Napoli) is the city’s dedicated museum for contemporary artistic expression. Installed within an eighteenth-century aristocratic residence, the institution presents rotating exhibitions across multiple media and disciplines, supported by a media center, educational spaces, bookstore and café facilities.
History
The Municipality of Naples acquired the Carafa di Roccella palace and initiated restoration work in 1984. In 1998, officials designated the building as a Documentation Center for contemporary arts, a mission later expanded to include exhibition programming. The museum opened to the public on March 26, 2005, establishing Naples with a dedicated venue for living artistic practice.
What you see
The palace spans 6,000 square meters across three floors. Exhibition galleries occupy the principal spaces, while ancillary functions—a media center, educational facilities, bookstore and refreshment areas—serve visitors. Terraces provide outdoor spaces within the historic building’s footprint, integrating contemporary curatorial needs with the palace’s original architectural character.
Cultural significance
PAN represents Naples’ institutional commitment to contemporary visual and performing arts. By converting a historic palazzo into a working museum, the city anchors living culture within its architectural heritage, offering artists and audiences a platform for dialogue across painting, sculpture, photography, graphics, comics, design, video and cinema.
Key facts
- Address: Via dei Mille, 60, 80121 Napoli
- Coordinates: 40.8368619242176, 14.236902594566345
- Phone: 081 795 8604
- Website: http://www.comune.napoli.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/16592
- Opened: March 26, 2005
- Total area: 6,000 m²
Practical information
The museum occupies the Carafa di Roccella palace on via dei Mille in central Naples. A dedicated bookstore and café are on-site. Specific opening hours are not listed; check the official website or call ahead before visiting.
Getting there
PAN is accessible by public transport in Naples’ historic center. The address is Via dei Mille, 60. You can contact the museum directly at 081 795 8604 for directions and transport information.
See the place
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
See this place and what’s around it →Historical events at this place (2)
📷 Become a Cultural Heritage Online photographer
Share your photos of places: they stay published under your name as the author. The more they're seen, the more you get noticed — and soon a contest will reward the most appreciated photos.
Log in or sign up free to add a photoIs this page about you?
This page is read by travellers and heritage enthusiasts who find it on Google. Tell us how you are connected to this place and we will take it from there.