Museo Civico di Bari

About the museum

The Museo Civico di Bari grew out of the historical exhibition of the 19th century organised in 1913 to celebrate the centenary of the Murattian borough. The success of the initiative convinced the Municipality to create a history museum, which opened on 26 January 1919 in some rooms of the Teatro Margherita and was recognised as a body of public interest in 1926. During the Second World War the premises were requisitioned by Anglo-American troops and much of the material was dispersed; the museum reopened only some years later, in municipal premises in Largo Urbano II.

In 1977 the collections were moved to the present seat, at Strada Sagges 13, a medieval fortified complex on the edge of the old town, in an area rich in archaeological finds. Its core is a three-storey tower connected to the Arco Petroni; other buildings were added, including the southern wing from the mid-to-late 18th century.

In 2015 the museum reopened with new management and a renovated display route with multimedia installations. The collections include the Fondo Tanzi, donated in 1935, with paintings and an archive documenting civic and regional history from the 16th to the early 20th century; the caricatures of Frate Menotti; the Fondo fotografico Antonelli; the printing matrices of Murari playing cards; edged weapons and firearms; and relics of the African campaigns.

Highlights

• Fondo Tanzi with paintings and historical archive
• Cradle of the Marchese di Montrone, in walnut and silver
• First book printed in Bari (1535)
• Caricatures by Frate Menotti
• Fondo fotografico of Liborio Antonelli
• Medieval fortified complex with tower and Arco Petroni

Permanent exhibition

• Collezioni storiche del Museo Civico – Fondo Tanzi, caricatures by Frate Menotti, Fondo Antonelli, Murari playing cards, weapons and relics of the African campaigns.

Founded

1919

Operated by

Comune di Bari

Visitors per year

approx. 9,088

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The museum runs educational workshops, animated readings for families and downloadable games for children.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The bookshop offers an extensive bibliography on the city of Bari.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit