Timeline

Origin and history

The archaeological museum of the Donjon de Martres-Tolosane is housed in a 13th century dungeon, transformed into a prison during the French Revolution and later into a charitable house in the 19th century. This medieval monument, located in the commune of Martres-Tolosane in Haute-Garonne, now houses a remarkable collection linked to the local ancient history.

The creation of the museum is closely linked to the discovery of Villa Chiragan, a major archaeological site. The original busts from these excavations joined the Saint-Raymond Museum in Toulouse, while moulds were acquired by the archaeological association of Martres-Tolosane. These replicas, made of resin and marble powder, as well as some original pieces, have been on display to the public since 1991.

The dungeon, classified as Musée de France, offers a double interest: architectural, with its medieval structure, and historical, thanks to its collection of ancient statuary. The objects presented, copies or originals, testify to the richness of the Gallo-Roman heritage of the region, while illustrating the evolution of the uses of this building throughout the centuries.

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