Palestrina and the Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia

The National Archaeological Museum of Palestrina is housed inside the Renaissance Barberini Palace, built above the ancient temple of Fortuna. It exhibits the most important works from the ancient town of Praeneste and the surrounding area in different sections related to history, culture and artworks from one of the most important flourishing towns in ancient Latium. The third floor contains a large polychrome mosaic that portrays life on the Nile during the flood, depicted by artists from Alessandria in the late 2nd century A.D. It is one of the finest examples of Hellenistic mosaics preserved and it is a masterpiece for its composition, chromatic beauty and rich details.