Skip to main content
Usitour
Museum

Musee d'Art et d'Archeologie

📍 17 Rue Dok Villette, Isoraka, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
No photos yet
3.8/ 5.0
★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location
Madagascar
Category
Museum
Duration
30-60 minutes
Address
17 Rue Dok Villette, Isoraka, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
Coordinates
-18.9100, 47.5200

Introduction

The Museum of Art and Archaeology, formally the Institute of Civilizations - Museum of Art and Archaeology (IC-MAA), is attached to the University of Antananarivo. It was established by decree No. 70-078 of 27 January 1970 as a research institute and took its present name, opening progressively to the public, from 1990. The museum stands at 17 rue Dok Villette in the Isoraka district of Antananarivo and is Madagascar's most important repository of archaeology and ethnographic art, with about 7,000 objects gathered from every region and community of the island. The display leans on archaeological finds and ethnographic pieces: pottery, stone tools, funerary sculpture, traditional instruments, sorcery implements and amulets, with the funerary aloalo wooden sculptures the most distinctive category. Finds from medieval trading ports such as Mahilaka show Madagascar's historical links with the wider Indian Ocean world. The museum is compact and takes 30 to 60 minutes, entry is by donation, and it pairs easily with the Rova and Andafiavaratra Palace for a half-day cultural circuit.

✨ Highlights

1
Attached to the university
Established by decree No. 70-078 of 27 January 1970 as a research institute, renamed and opened progressively to the public from 1990 - where Madagascar's academic and museum systems meet.
2
7,000 objects island-wide
About 7,000 archaeological and ethnographic objects gathered systematically since the early 1960s from every region and community of Madagascar.
3
Sorcery implements and amulets
Objects used in local belief practices, including sorcerers' implements and amulets, are the most distinctive exhibits, reflecting belief practice in the central highlands and beyond.
4
Instruments and aloalo
Traditional musical instruments are shown alongside aloalo funerary wooden sculptures, presenting Malagasy music and burial traditions together.
5
Compact and easy to pair
A small museum that takes 30-60 minutes; it pairs well with the Rova and Andafiavaratra Palace for a half-day cultural circuit.
6
Donation-based entry
There is no fixed admission and donations are voluntary; the museum is chronically short of funds for conservation, so a small contribution directly helps.

🛈 Practical Info

→Address and verification：The museum is at 17 rue Dok Villette, Isoraka (BP 564), under the University of Antananarivo. A few travel sites place it on the Ankatso campus, but the registered address is in Isoraka - confirm by phone before visiting.
→How long to allow：The museum is small and its collections are densely displayed, so 30-60 minutes usually suffices; allow an hour or more when a major touring exhibition is on.
→Climate and gear：Antananarivo is a highland city at about 1,280 m, with day-night temperature swings of up to 15 C year-round and nights dropping below 10 C in winter. Bring a jacket rather than packing for a typical tropical city.
→Ticket Information：Donation-based entry with no fixed price; the museum is chronically short of conservation funds (as of Oct 2026).
→Transportation：In the Isoraka district, 15-20 minutes on foot from Analakely market; taxi about 5,000-10,000 ariary

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Tuesday10:00-16:00
Saturday10:00-16:00

Tuesday to Saturday 10:00-16:00; closed Sunday and Monday. Holidays and temporary exhibitions may change this.

💡 Tips

• Closed on Mondays and Sundays - avoid those two days when planning Antananarivo.
• A donation-based small museum; leaving a small contribution directly helps preserve the exhibits.
• Antananarivo sits at about 1,280 m with 15 C day-night swings - do not pack for a typical tropical city.
• The registered address is in Isoraka, though a few sources list Ankatso - a phone call settles it.
• Pair it with the Rova and Andafiavaratra Palace in one half-day cultural circuit to save transfers.
• Displays lean on objects with limited labelling; check the University of Antananarivo's Institute of Civilizations for background.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Musee d'Art et d'Archeologie?

Tuesday: 10:00-16:00; Saturday: 10:00-16:00; Tuesday to Saturday 10:00-16:00; closed Sunday and Monday. Holidays and temporary exhibitions may change this.

How much is the admission for Musee d'Art et d'Archeologie?

Donation-based entry with no fixed price; the museum is chronically short of conservation funds (as of Oct 2026).

Any practical tips for visiting Musee d'Art et d'Archeologie?

Closed on Mondays and Sundays - avoid those two days when planning Antananarivo. A donation-based small museum; leaving a small contribution directly helps preserve the exhibits.

How long should I spend at Musee d'Art et d'Archeologie?

A typical visit takes 30-60 minutes.

Hours and visiting arrangements may change for holidays or temporary exhibitions; call +261 20 22 25493 before you go.