The National Archaeological Museum of Gioia del Colle, established in 1977 and located in the Norman-Swabian Castle, houses in its halls the finds from the excavations of the ancient settlement of Monte Sannace.
The Castle is one of those fortified works from the Frederician era that preserve the architectural layout more intact, defined by the large quadrangular courtyard, the imposing corner towers and the mighty curtains with ashlar facing. Situated in a dominant position, 360 metres above sea level, it was mainly a military structure, built for the defence of the territory and a nodal point of communication along important roads that led from Bari to Taranto, connecting the Ionian-Taranto area to the Adriatic one. The building is the result of an architectural and artistic syncretism that took place in three periods (pre-Norman, Norman and Swabian) but also of more recent contributions, consisting of the restoration interventions of the twentieth century. The Frederician work, however, represents the main component.
The museum was founded due to the important archaeological finds made during the 1929 excavations at Monte Sannace and, above all, the huge quantity of finds recovered during the excavation campaigns conducted between 1957 and 1961. The museum collection was subsequently further enriched with finds from research carried out in the archaeological area in more recent years. The excavations are still ongoing, extended to larger areas of the territory.
Today the Museum presents itself with a completely renewed look, both with regards to the exhibits on display and the educational and illustrative apparatus.
The collection consists essentially of vases recovered from grave goods and domestic vases discovered in the ancient Peucetian settlement located 5 km from Gioia del Colle, currently a state-owned Archaeological Park open to the public. These include large geometrically decorated jars, jugs, kantharoi decorated with swastika motifs and hanging semicircles, but also Attic, Ionic and Corinthian vases, which attest to the presence of exchanges and trade between the indigenous Peucetian population and the Greek people.
During the summer, the Castle also hosts shows and artistic events that allow the structure to better integrate into the social and cultural fabric of the city.
Blonde Haiku
Strong Haiku
Taralli with Salento Dried Tomatoes
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