Parco archeologico dell’area urbana di Metaponto
Archaeological park of ancient Metaponto, an Achaean colony: sacred area with Doric and Ionic temples, agora, theatre and the Castro Romano.
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About the museum
Metaponto was founded by the Achaeans in the second half of the 7th century BC on the Ionian coast, on a fertile plain between the Bradano and Basento rivers. The city grew rich above all from the grain trade, a symbol also shown on its coins.
The urban archaeological park comprises the remains of the ancient centre: a city wall from the 6th century BC; the sacred area with the Doric temples of Apollo Liceo and Athena and the Ionic temple of Aphrodite; and the agora with the theatre and the ekklesiasterion, which took its present form in the second half of the 4th century BC. In the agora an altar from the late 6th century BC dedicated to Zeus survives. In the southern part there is a large portico and a trapezoidal enclosure, which some scholars link to prophetic and mystery rites.
The remains also include the Castro Romano, with a long colonnaded gallery used until the end of the 6th century AD. The park has an antiquarium with an octagonal plan. The famous Tavole Palatine, the Doric temple of Hera, stand a little outside the urban core and can be visited separately. According to the Ministry’s listing, the Crucinia necropolis is not currently open to visitors.
Highlights
- Sacred area with the temples of Apollo Liceo, Athena and Aphrodite
- Agora, ekklesiasterion and theatre
- Castro Romano with colonnaded gallery
- Octagonal antiquarium
- City wall from the 6th century BC
Permanent exhibition
- Parco archeologico dell’antica Metaponto – Outdoor route through the sacred area, agora, theatre and Castro Romano, with the octagonal antiquarium.
- Operated by
- Direzione regionale Musei nazionali Basilicata (Ministero della cultura)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
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| Reduced | €2EU citizens aged 18 to 25 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for under-18s. |
| Combined ticket: museum, storerooms, park, Castro Romano, Tavole Palatine and Crucinia necropolis | €10Valid 3 days. |
Free admission: First Sunday of the month and other special openings announced by the Ministry of Culture.
There is also a combined ticket with the Museo archeologico nazionale di Metaponto, the storerooms, the Castro Romano, the Tavole Palatine and the Crucinia necropolis (€10, valid 3 days).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Good to know | During special openings, guided visits to ongoing excavations may be organised. |
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