WORTH THE TRIP TO MATERA Matera is magnificent. There's so…read moremuch here to fascinate. We attended this museum as sort of an afterthought But it is a ROCK STAR! As rich with treasures as the Met in NYC or the Oriental Museum in Chicago, the world class relics here are LOCAL! All found within walking distance. It's exciting, truly. Come here, for sure. It's wonderful!

A hidden gem and excellent value in central Matera, it looks more like a bank than museum from the…read moreoutside and entry is just €2 (teachers get a discount with ID). The museum is very well laid out so you can follow a single path rather than bounce back and fourth across and between rooms as is the case at many larger museums (the Smithsonian in DC and the Met in NYC come to mind). For the minimal fee, you will find an abundance of archeological relics and remains dating back to the 6th Century B.C. as well as recreations of village life and cave paintings from that time in this 105 year old museum. A great way to spend an hour or two on a blustery winter day as we did during the worst snowstorm in Matera over the past 60 years, you can leisurely stroll through at your own pace without hectic crowds hovering in front of you. The day we were there, we saw only one or two other couples in the museum the entire time. There is a room of to your right as you descend the stairs toward the exit with a snack and coffee machine which was quite reasonable (caffe latte, espresso, cappuccino, or hot chocolate were just €.40 each). The staff are very friendly and helpful, but their English is limited and all exhibits as well as their App (with slideshows and verbal descriptions accessed via the web with a QR code reader) are only in Italian. Lack of English descriptions and translations were the only thing keeping me from giving them a perfect score. CombatCritic Gives Museo Archeologico Nazionale Domenico Ridola 9 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Definitely worth a visit to see this man's 3 year project. It's a beautiful work of art that…read moreshould be appreciated.

This is actually two things to do here. The museo (museum)…read moreand Archeologico Nazionale E. Parco. The ticket for either or both is in the ticket room with books and games to buy and the only Toilet. The Roman Ruins are a ten minute walk to the other entrance booth to check your ticket. we bought a 6 month ticket for one euro difference additional each so we might return once more over the next 3 days. The Roman and older ruins are open to visit from behind a chain. It took us about 45 minutes or more to do the loop. Then we did the Museum, which was superior, all in Italian descriptions except the orientation video. You can do a QR code each time but i hate those for the english translations. There is a big aquarium tank with a big jar to imitate the sea and anchors and many Amphore clay jars or vases. Lots of found pottery, statues and shards. All recovered from the Roman digs and the sea we had just come back from. The digs were unearthed/ opened in 1910 or so and again in 1960 or so but then left alone. Maybe money. After everything , we went to where the Romans or Greeks went to the Sea edge and dug rectangular and round fish traps in the coral. Tide comes in, fish as well , tide goes out fish are stuck behind. There are dozens, here you can just walk around. Still here in the sea working after 2000 years or more. incredible history.

Amazing visit. Fascinating ruins and great museum. Well worth the detour if you are a history lover.read more