Museo Fondazione Ettore Pomarici Santomasi

About the museum

The museum belongs to the Fondazione Ettore Pomarici Santomasi, established under the testamentary provisions of the nobleman Ettore Pomarici Santomasi, who died on 7 December 1917. The bequest in favour of the town led in 1920 to the founding of the charitable institution. The seat is the entire 17th-century palazzo of the baron, in the heart of the historic centre of Gravina in Puglia, with the furnishings and collections it contains.

The route includes the family apartment, seven rooms with Baroque furniture that document the life of the Pomarici Santomasi in the 18th century, and a picture gallery of about 263 canvases, including two 17th-century paintings by Francesco Guarini, the Madonna col Bambino (Madonna and Child) and the Disputation of Jesus among the Doctors. The collections also include an archaeological section, a numismatic collection illustrating the history of coinage from the 6th century BC to the Kingdom of Italy, and a collection of weapons and military relics.

The museum also houses the rock-cut crypt of San Vito Vecchio, with frescoes in a Byzantine-inspired style dating from the late 13th to the early 14th century, detached from 1956 onwards. The foundation also runs the Biblioteca Ettore Pomarici Santomasi and organises guided visits to the Castello Svevo (Swabian Castle) in Gravina.

Highlights

• Family apartment with Baroque furniture
• Picture gallery of about 263 canvases, with two paintings by Francesco Guarini
• Rock-cut crypt of San Vito Vecchio with Byzantine-inspired frescoes
• Numismatic collection from the 6th century BC to the Kingdom of Italy
• Weapons and military relics

Permanent exhibitions

• Appartamento di famiglia – Seven rooms with Baroque-style furniture documenting the life of the Pomarici Santomasi family in the 18th century.
• Pinacoteca – About 263 canvases from various schools, with two 17th-century paintings by Francesco Guarini.
• Cripta di San Vito Vecchio – Rock-cut crypt with frescoes in a Byzantine-inspired style from the late 13th to the early 14th century.

Founded

1920

Operated by

Fondazione Ettore Pomarici Santomasi

Admission & discounts

The ticket includes the visit with an authorised guide. Since 2016 there has been a single ticket for the museum and the Castello Svevo (€5 for each of the two sites).

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

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit