Il Cartastorie — Museo dell'Archivio del Banco di Napoli
Napoli (NA)
Hidden gemMuseums
The story
Eighty kilometres of shelving holding the records of the oldest banking archive in the world: inside are the payments to Caravaggio, the debts of noblemen, five centuries of Neapolitan lives. The pages light up and tell their stories.
Access
€ 8 (reduced € 3), with guide € 10. Open 10:00-18:00, closed on Wednesday. New display from January 2026
The story
The Historical Archive of the Banco di Napoli, housed in Palazzo Ricca on via dei Tribunali, is the largest banking archive in the world: it holds the records of the ancient Neapolitan public banks, capable of telling five hundred years of history — not only of great business, but of common people, line by line. Since 2016 the museum 'Il Cartastorie' opens this treasure to the public.
What to see
The rooms of the archive, with the shelves that rise as far as the eye can see laden with volumes, and the route of the Cartastorie, which from the notes of ancient 'fedi di credito' (credit notes) brings out true stories of Neapolitans of every class: a surprising and human way to read the history of the city.
Tips
The museum Il Cartastorie has its own entrance, hours and visits, often guided: check on the official site and consider booking. You are in Palazzo Ricca, on via dei Tribunali, in the heart of the old centre.
Frequently asked questions
What is Il Cartastorie?
The museum of the Historical Archive of the Banco di Napoli, in Palazzo Ricca, which since 2016 tells the public of the largest banking archive in the world and the stories of common people kept there.
What does the Archive of the Banco di Napoli hold?
The records of the ancient Neapolitan public banks, five hundred years of economic and social history of the city and the South, with notes on the lives of people of every class.
How do you visit Il Cartastorie?
With its own entrance and hours, often with guided tours: it is best to check and book on the official site.
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