Getty Villa Museum Reopens After Six-Month Closure Due to Fire

After a six-month closure due to the Palisades Fire, the Getty Villa Museum in Los Angeles reopened its doors to the public on June 27, 2025. The museum, renowned for its extensive collection of ancient Greek and Roman art, had been closed since January 7, when the fire threatened the property.

The Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, was propelled by strong Santa Ana winds, leading to the evacuation of approximately 30,000 residents and the destruction of numerous structures in the Pacific Palisades area. The Getty Villa, located along the Pacific Coast Highway, faced direct threats as flames reached its grounds. Thanks to extensive fire mitigation efforts, including brush clearance and on-site water storage, the museum's structures and art collections were preserved. However, the surrounding landscape suffered significant damage, with over 1,300 trees lost and the irrigation system destroyed.

In the aftermath, Getty's facilities and grounds teams embarked on an extensive restoration process. This included deep cleaning of indoor and outdoor spaces, flushing water systems, replacing air and water filters, and removing fire-damaged vegetation. Visitors may notice changes to the landscape, including reduced vegetation and visible burn damage to the outer grounds.

The museum now operates on a limited schedule, open from Friday to Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with daily attendance capped at 500 visitors. Reservations are required and can be made online. Parking is available for $25. Access to the Getty Villa is currently limited to Pacific Coast Highway, as the Sunset Boulevard entrance remains closed.

Coinciding with the reopening, the Getty Villa debuted a new exhibition titled "The Kingdom of Pylos: Warrior-Princes of Ancient Greece," running through January 12, 2026. This exhibition features over 230 artifacts from Messenia, a key center of Mycenaean civilization, including clay tablets inscribed with "Linear B," the earliest form of written Greek, and the Pylos Combat Agate, a notable Minoan sealstone.

Katherine Fleming, President and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, expressed gratitude for the efforts that led to the museum's preservation and reopening:

"It is with the utmost gratitude and appreciation for Getty staff, first responders, and other agencies that we can announce the reopening of the Villa to the public."

The reopening of the Getty Villa serves as a testament to the resilience of cultural institutions in the face of natural disasters. It highlights the importance of disaster preparedness and the role of community and institutional efforts in preserving cultural heritage. The event also underscores the broader impact of climate change, as increasing wildfire incidents pose ongoing threats to both human life and cultural landmarks.

Visitors are encouraged to plan their routes accordingly and to experience the museum's offerings during this recovery phase.