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Known as “MarTA ” the National Archaeological Museum of Taranto, boasts one of Italy's most important archeological collections. Housing the museum is the former Convent of San Pasquale di Babylon, near the Public Garden on Piazza Garibaldi.
The rooms on the mezzanine floor are dedicated to archaeology, with over two hundred thousand artefacts, dating from Prehistoric times to the Middle Ages - the visitors' route follows the collection's chronological order, starting from the 5th millennium B.C.
The first meeting between the indigenous Iapygian population and the Aegean world predates Sparta’s colonization of the Gulf of Taranto, and visitors can admire everyday objects relating to worship and funerary rituals in Greek Taranto.
The changes brought about by the arrival of the Romans reveal themselves in a series of sculptures and terracotta figurines, as well as utensils and gold objects of every type. Don’t miss the incredible Ori di Taranto (Golden Treasure of Taranto), a stunning collection of Hellenic-era gold artwork, with many grave goods.
