The Maffeiano Lapidary Museum, inaugurated in Verona in 1738 by the Marquis Maffei, is one of the oldest lapidary museums in Europe. It is located near Piazza Bra, within the ancient city walls of Verona. A precursor of today's museum was a collection of 28 inscriptions. The finds were placed in the vestibule of the Philharmonic Academy founded in 1543.