Parco archeologico e Antiquarium di San Leucio

About the museum

The San Leucio archaeological park lies on the hill of the same name, south-east of Canosa di Puglia, among olive groves. The site bears witness to two important periods. In 318 BC the largest Italic temple of southern Italy was built here, dedicated to Minerva–Athena Ilias, probably to seal the alliance between local rulers and the Romans. After the temple was destroyed, from the end of the 5th century AD a remarkable central-plan basilica rose on the hill: the largest early Christian building in Apulia, first dedicated to the saints Cosmas and Damian, the Holy Physicians, and only in the Lombard period to San Leucio.

Both the temple and the basilica stood outside the ancient city of Canusium and overlooked it, in contrast to the acropolis. The site, first reported in 1925, is an ongoing excavation: research and restoration followed one another through the 20th century, and the recent excavation campaigns of the University “Sapienza” of Rome culminated in July 2008 with the setting up of the adjoining Antiquarium (site museum) and the restoration of the floor mosaics.

Among elegant marble columns with Ionic capitals and Byzantine pulvini survive fragments of fine polychrome mosaics, including the famous peacock mosaic in the western exedra of the basilica. The Antiquarium displays the finds brought to light in the site's many excavation campaigns.

Highlights

• Remains of the largest Italic temple in southern Italy, dedicated to Minerva
• Early Christian basilica with a central plan, the largest in Apulia
• Peacock mosaic in the western exedra
• Antiquarium with finds from the excavations
• Park among olive trees on the San Leucio hill

Permanent exhibition

• Antiquarium di San Leucio – Finds from the excavations of the Italic temple of Minerva and the early Christian basilica, gathered in the Antiquarium set up in 2008.

Operated by

Fondazione Archeologica Canosina

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Access to the archaeological sites run by the Foundation is free, by booking. Specialist guided tours, on request, are charged.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The Foundation organises educational activities and workshops, including for families (for example mosaic workshops at San Leucio).

Getting there & parking

The park is on the San Leucio hill, south-east of Canosa di Puglia, along the Strada Comunale Santa Lucia.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit