Museums and monuments in Basilicata
Basilicata’s cultural heritage spans from the prehistoric cave dwellings of the Sassi di Matera to the Magna Graecia ruins of Metaponto and Heraclea. This selection features the region’s most significant archaeological collections, including the prehistoric findings at the Ridola Museum and the medieval treasures within Melfi Castle. Highlights include the 21-meter Carrara marble Christ the Redeemer in Maratea and Matera’s 17th-century Palazzo Lanfranchi, which showcases sacred art alongside contemporary sculpture integrated into ancient rock-cut settings.
Museo Archeologico Nazionale Domenico Ridola
Basilicata's oldest museum, located in a 17th-century convent. It displays prehistoric and Neolithic artifacts discovered in the Matera area, including ceramics and burial goods from the Murge plateau.
Musma
Located in the 16th-century Palazzo Pomarici, this museum integrates contemporary sculpture with ancient cave dwellings. It is the primary institution in Italy dedicated entirely to 20th-century sculpture.
Casa Noha
A historic residence in the Sassi featuring a multimedia exhibition. It uses video projections on stone walls to narrate Matera's history, from its prehistoric origins to its 20th-century evacuation and rebirth.
Museo archeologico nazionale della Siritide
Located at the archaeological site of Heraclea, this museum displays artifacts from the Greek colonies of Siris and Heraclea, including 4th-century BC bronze armor and red-figure pottery.
Antiquarium di Metaponto
Showcases findings from the ancient Greek colony of Metapontum, including architectural fragments from Doric temples, votive objects, and ceramics dating from the 7th century BC to the Roman period.
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