The Museo Nazionale Atestino was created to illustrate the characteristics of the civilization of the ancient Veneti, during the first millennium BC, in dynamic relationship with the Etruscan, Celtic and Roman world. Since 1876, the most substantial evidence of this civilization has emerged in Este, today exhibited in the 11 rooms of the Museum; daily life, artistic manifestations, those of religiosity and funerary rituals are illustrated, to reconstruct society and underline similarities and differences with current events.

There are many contexts and objects of great prestige, as well as considerable beauty: from Neolithic pottery, represented by one of the oldest decorated vases, to the very famous 'Situla Benvenuti' defined by Giulia Fogolari as the 'epic poem of the Venetian people'. The situla, a bronze foil vase, shows in its figurative decoration scenes from the life and celebrations of the most important families of Este in the 7th century BC

Monumental remains of the city remain from the Roman era, historical evidence of its deep bond with Augustus who founded in Este a colony of veterans returning from the battle of Actium, when, with the defeat of Antonio, he became to all intents and purposes the prince 'Augustus '. The link between Augustus and Este can be glimpsed not only from the funerary monuments of the Actiaci, but from the magnificent golden medallion with the emperor's effigy. Finally, the tomb of an ophthalmologist amazes not only for the incredible medical instruments, but for the extremely rare example of a pocket watch, a travel sundial in bone and bronze.