The origins of the '' Museo Nazionale di Reggio Calabria '' dates back to 1882 with the foundation of the '' Museo Civico '' which , in the new climate of national unity , collected and spread culture to local people by exhibiting paintings , objects of local history and culture , archeological finds , and mementoes of '' Il Risorgimento '' . This formed the '' Museo Civico di Reggio '' , based in the seafront '' Palazzo Arcivescovile '' and formed of ethnology , medieval art , modern art , '' Risorgimento '' art and numismatic departments . In 1907 the '' Soprintendenza Archeologica della Calabria '' was founded under the leadership of the famous archaeologist Paolo Orsi - it carried out intense excavations at Reggio , Locri , and in the main centres of archeological interest in Calabria . After the earthquake of 1908 , which destroyed the city , Paolo Orsi suggested the creation of a National Museum , to exhibit objects from state excavations alongside those from Reggio 's city collections
earthquake of 1908
1908 Messina earthquake
Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia