The MArTA: an enchanting journey into the Magna Graecia of Taranto

Taranto, the “City of Two Seas,” is not only a place of history and legends tied to ancient Sparta but also the guardian of one of Italy’s most significant archaeological treasures: the National Archaeological Museum of Taranto, affectionately known as MArTA. This museum is not merely a container of artifacts but a true storyteller, guiding visitors through the glorious events of Taras (ancient Taranto), the only Spartan colony of Magna Graecia, and revealing the magnificence of a civilization that left an indelible mark on Apulian soil.

Housed in an imposing 19th-century building — the former Convent of San Domenico — in the heart of the old city, the MArTA’s collection, in both scope and quality, ranks it among the most important museums in Europe devoted to Magna Graecia archaeology. Each room is a chapter in an open book on the past, an invitation to discover the daily life, beliefs, art, and economy of a people who flourished for centuries in this fertile land.

The Heart of the MArTA: Treasures from Ancient Taras

The beating heart of the MArTA consists of artifacts unearthed from the necropolises and settlements of ancient Taras and its vast territory. These objects are not mere relics but silent witnesses to an age of great splendor.

Among the most fascinating treasures are:

• The Gold of Taranto: Undoubtedly the most famous and admired section. The gold and silver jewelry, dating between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, exemplifies Tarantine goldsmithing, celebrated throughout the ancient world. Diadems, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings — finely crafted using sophisticated techniques such as granulation and filigree — reveal not only the opulence of Taranto’s ruling class but also their refined aesthetic taste and unmatched craftsmanship. Many of these precious objects were part of aristocratic funerary sets meant to accompany the deceased into the afterlife.

• Figurative Terracottas: A vast collection of clay statuettes, votive offerings, and architectural terracotta elements. Often polychrome, these works offer insight into the religiosity and ritual practices of the period, depicting deities, mythological figures, and scenes of everyday life. Particularly striking are the fragments of temple decorations and female protomes, attesting to the rich iconography and artistry of local craftsmen.

• Attic and Magna Graecia Pottery: The museum’s pottery halls are a true triumph of form and color. The MArTA boasts an exceptional collection of Attic black- and red-figure vases imported from Greece and highly prized in Western Greek colonies. Alongside them stand the splendid locally produced red-figure vases of Magna Graecia, often adorned with mythological or daily-life scenes that reflect the artistic style and influences of the region.

• Sculpture and Architecture: Capitals, friezes, and votive statues offer a glimpse into the monumentality and aesthetic elegance of ancient urban planning.

• Coins: Numismatics is another area of excellence at the MArTA. The museum’s collection of coins — dating from the founding of Taras to the Roman period — is essential to understanding the economy, trade relations, and political symbolism of the ancient city. The famous silver didrachms featuring the horseman or the hero Taras riding a dolphin are just one example of the richness and variety of this collection.

A Museum That Brings the Past to Life

Visiting the MArTA is not merely a cultural experience but a genuine journey through time. Through modern, educational, and interactive exhibition paths, even younger audiences can grasp and enjoy the complexity of this millennia-old civilization.

Address: Via Cavour 10, 74123 Taranto

Opening Hours (subject to seasonal changes or special events; check the official website):

 • Tuesday – Sunday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM

 • Monday: Closed

 • Last admission: one hour before closing

Tickets:

 • Full: € 10.00

 • Reduced: € 2.00 (for EU citizens aged 18–25)

 • Free: Under 18s, holders of Abbonamento Musei Lombardia Valle d’Aosta (if active), ICOM members, journalists, licensed guides, and persons with disabilities plus one companion

 • Special Free Entry: First Sunday of each month (“Domenica al Museo” initiative)

 • Tickets may be purchased at the museum or online via the official website

Services: Bookshop, cloakroom, accessible restrooms, elevators

Contacts:

 • Phone: +39 099 4538637

 • Email: [email protected]

Cover photo credits: Regional Directorate of Museums of Apulia