Museo nazionale d'arte medievale e moderna della Basilicata – Palazzo Lanfranchi

About the museum

The Museo nazionale d’Arte Medievale e Moderna della Basilicata is housed in Palazzo Lanfranchi and was inaugurated on 6 May 2003, at the end of the restoration of the building, to present the work of the Superintendence for Artistic and Historical Heritage (Soprintendenza), which had been based there since 1979. The project aimed to show the activity of inventory, research, recovery and restoration of the artworks of the area, and to present itself as a living place, open and integrated into the social fabric.

Since 2019 the museum has been united with the Museo archeologico nazionale Domenico Ridola within the Musei nazionali di Matera, an institution with special autonomy.

The route occupies twelve rooms on the first floor and the Levi room on the ground floor, which holds the large painting “Lucania ’61”, commissioned from Carlo Levi to represent Basilicata at the Mostra delle Regioni in Turin in 1961. It is arranged in three sections: the Art of the Territory, from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, with wall paintings from rock churches, wooden and stone sculptures and objects in scagliola and papier-mâché; Collecting, with paintings from the Camillo d’Errico Collection of Palazzo San Gervasio, which illustrate Neapolitan figurative culture of the 17th and 18th centuries; and Contemporary Art, with works by Carlo Levi on loan from the Fondazione Carlo Levi and by Luigi Guerricchio.

Highlights

• “Lucania ’61” by Carlo Levi in the Levi room
• Wall paintings from the rock churches of Matera
• Camillo d’Errico Collection with Neapolitan masters of the 17th and 18th centuries
• Paintings by Carlo Levi and works by Luigi Guerricchio
• Wooden sculptures and objects in scagliola and papier-mâché

Permanent exhibition

• Arte del Territorio, Collezionismo e Arte Contemporanea – Twelve rooms on the first floor with Lucanian art from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, the d’Errico Collection and works by Carlo Levi and Luigi Guerricchio; on the ground floor the Levi room with “Lucania ’61”.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Musei nazionali di Matera (Ministero della Cultura)

Visitors per year

approx. 75,617

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month (Domenica al museo): free admission, 9:00–20:00 with last admission at 19:00.

Educational visits by schools and universities are always free, with a list on headed paper.

Accessibility

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

The website indicates lifts and ramps to reach the rooms and the possibility of borrowing a wheelchair. The entrance for persons with motor difficulties is from Piazzetta Giovanni Pascoli, via a ramp. Guides in Easy to Read (Italian and English) and with augmentative and alternative communication symbols are available. Only guide dogs are admitted in the museums; small dogs may be carried in arms.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

The museum declares itself breastfeeding-friendly and offers a UNICEF Baby Pit Stop.

Getting there & parking

From Bari Palese airport (about 30 minutes by car) the Pugliairbus service runs. By car: A3 Salerno–Reggio Calabria motorway, exit for Potenza, then the SS 407 Basentana and the link road from the SS 7 as far as Matera.

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