Parthenope: the askoi from Crotone on display at the National

Parthenope. The Siren and the City: Crotone's askoi in Naples

From 3 April to 6 July 2026 the National Archaeological Museum of Naples stages the exhibition “Parthenope. The Siren and the City”, examining Naples’ long-standing link with the siren image through more than 250 artifacts from Italian and international collections. Among the most remarkable loans are two bronze askoi from the Crotone area, considered unique within the archaeological record.

Why they matter

In Greek iconography, sirens were hybrid beings often associated with the afterlife and Pythagorean thought. The two askoi on display provide a direct link to Calabria’s Greek past and enrich the exhibition with exceptionally rare evidence of archaic religious and artistic practices.

Artifact descriptions

• Askos dated 540–530 BC: likely an ex-voto from the southern chora of Kroton, featuring a siren with closed wings and a female torso; the handle is formed by a standing kore.
• Askos from the Murgie necropolis of Strongoli: from the first half of the 5th century BC, larger in size (approx. 15.3 cm high and 18.7 cm long). The siren wears a peplos and diadem, holds a syrinx in her right hand and a pomegranate in her left—an attribute linked to Persephone and the underworld.

Provenance and restitution

One of the handles—shaped as a kouros—was illicitly removed in the late 20th century and circulated on the antiquities market before being acquired by a foreign institution. Following investigations and heritage protection actions, the object was returned to Italy and reintegrated into national collections, later made available on loan for this exhibition.

Visitor information

• Dates: 3 April – 6 July 2026
• Venue: National Archaeological Museum of Naples
• Highlights: over 250 works, including the two Crotone askoi, Archaic-period pieces and artifacts tracing Naples’ mythic identity.
• Visiting tips: allow at least 90 minutes for the exhibition; check the museum’s official channels for opening hours and booking; consider a guided tour to better understand the cultural ties between Magna Graecia and Naples.

The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to see exceptional artifacts and to follow how the image of the siren shaped cultural meanings across the ancient Mediterranean, linking coastal communities from Calabria to Naples.