MUSMA — Museum of Contemporary Sculpture in Matera: essential guide and

MUSMA — Museum of Contemporary Sculpture in Matera

Located in the Sasso Caveoso area of Matera, MUSMA (Museum of Contemporary Sculpture) is set in the historic Palazzo Pomarici. The museum offers an immersive route where sculptures and the tufaceous underground spaces interact, creating a distinctive dialogue between artwork and environment.

Collection and exhibition route

The MUSMA collection spans from the late 19th century to the early 2000s and is arranged to highlight the chronological development of sculptural languages. A notable work in the collection is Medardo Rosso's Il Birichino (1883), presented alongside a variety of pieces that reflect diverse materials, techniques and contemporary experiments.

Spaces and setting

The museum occupies multiple levels, with historic halls upstairs and a network of underground chambers carved into the tufaceous rock below. Some rooms retain historical decorations, while others are dedicated to graphic works. The contrast between carved cave spaces and sculptural forms is a defining feature of the visitor experience.

Programs, research and resources

In addition to the permanent collection, MUSMA organizes temporary exhibitions and a program of educational activities, performances and interdisciplinary events. The museum library, named after Vanni Scheiwiller, houses thousands of volumes and an audiovisual archive that supports research and study in sculpture and art history.

Highlights — what to see

• Interaction of artwork and space: notice how sculptures relate to the underground chambers and filtered light.
• Historic to contemporary pieces: a range of works from late 19th-century realism to modern experimentation.
• Historic rooms: areas with period decorations that reveal the building's layered history.
• Library and study materials: valuable for researchers, students and art professionals.

Practical tips for visitors

• Allow around 1.5–2 hours to fully explore the exhibition and underground spaces.
• Combine your visit with a walk through the Sassi to appreciate the connection between cityscape and museum.
• Check opening hours and temporary exhibitions in advance on the museum's official channels.
• Suitable for art lovers, students and groups interested in workshops and educational programs.

Visiting MUSMA offers a chance to experience how sculpture, architecture and landscape come together in a unique cultural setting rooted in Matera's ancient memory.