Museo archeologico del territorio «Ugo Granafei» (MATER)
Messapian, Roman and medieval finds from Mesagne in the rooms of the Norman-Swabian Castle, with the mosaic from the Malvindi baths and a coin collection.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo del Territorio “Ugo Granafei” was opened in 1975. It grew out of a small archaeological collection kept in the Biblioteca popolare “Ugo Granafei”, to which numerous finds, mainly pre-Roman, were added from 1970; it was first set up in the Palazzo di Città and then in the library. Since 1999 it has been housed in the town's castle and is officially open to the public.
The collections come mainly from the territory of Mesagne, in particular from the sites of Muro Tenente, Muro Maurizio and Muro Malvindi and from the necropolises discovered in the historic centre. Much of the material, which is state property, consists of pottery from the Bronze Age and the Roman period, alongside medieval ceramics. Tomb slabs, Latin and Messapian inscriptions and a collection of Greek, Roman and medieval coins are also on display.
The route is divided into six rooms. Many finds come from private donations, largely Greek, Messapian and Roman pottery. One room contains the mosaic that formed the floor of the Malvindi baths complex, just outside the inhabited centre. The museum also runs outreach and workshop activities for the community and has a bookshop with its own publications.
Highlights
- Messapian, Roman and medieval finds from the area
- Mosaic from the Malvindi baths
- Collection of Greek, Roman and medieval coins
- Latin and Messapian inscriptions and tomb slabs
- Housed in the Norman-Swabian Castle of Mesagne
Permanent exhibition
- Esposizione permanente dei reperti del territorio – Six rooms with finds from prehistory to the late Middle Ages, including the mosaic from the Malvindi baths.
- Founded
- 1975
- Operated by
- Comune di Mesagne
- Visitors per year
- approx. 5,460
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for under-18s, according to a municipal resolution of 2015 cited in the municipality's services guide. |
Free admission: The museum takes part in “Domenica al museo” (free museum Sunday): admission is free on the first Sunday of the month, according to the municipality's services guide.
Admission charges were set by the municipal executive under resolution no. 312 of 23 November 2021.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Bookshop with illustrative material and volumes published by the museum.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours and outreach and workshop activities for the community; on special occasions, visits include parts of the castle that are normally closed. |
