Museo di civiltà preclassiche della Murgia meridionale

About the museum

The museum was inaugurated on 14 May 1989 in the former monastery of the Carmelite nuns of Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi, in the historic centre of Ostuni, next to the church of San Vito Martire, also called the Monacelle. The church was built between 1750 and 1752 on the site of a medieval building damaged by the earthquake of 1743. After restoration work, the museum reopened in 2011.

The route displays finds documenting the prehistory and ancient history of the southern Murge. The best-known piece is the Palaeolithic burial of the so-called Woman of Ostuni (Ostuni 1), a pregnant woman laid to rest with her grave goods in a cave in the area. The museum holds the original remains and grave goods, while casts are shown for Ostuni 2, an older second burial. A diorama reconstructs the cave and the tomb.

Other sections are dedicated to the Neolithic, with materials from coastal sites and from the Grotta di Sant'Angelo, a probable place of worship, and to later periods, with grave goods from the area of the Foro Boario and finds from the medieval tower and the garden of the convent of Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi. Part of the route is linked to the Parco archeologico e naturale di Santa Maria di Agnano, about 2 km from the centre, where the burial cave is located and where the remains of a possible Messapian sanctuary have been identified.

Highlights

• Palaeolithic burial of the Woman of Ostuni with original grave goods
• Diorama of the cave and the tomb
• Neolithic finds from the Grotta di Sant'Angelo
• Messapian grave goods from the Foro Boario
• Seat in the former Carmelite monastery

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso permanente: dal Paleolitico all'età medievale – Prehistoric and historical finds from the southern Murge, including the Palaeolithic burial of the Woman of Ostuni, Neolithic materials and grave goods.

Founded

1989

Operated by

Comune di Ostuni (Istituzione Museo)

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for journalists with a press card. Tickets are bought on site before the visit.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is located in the historic centre, reachable on foot or by vehicles authorised by the Urban Police; a car service is available for people with disabilities. The museum's website has a section on barrier-free museums.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The historic centre is accessible on foot or by vehicles authorised by the Urban Police.

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