Museo Archeologico Nazionale Domenico Ridola (Domenico Ridola National Archaeological Museum), Matera

The Domenico Ridola National Archaeological Museum, housed in the former convent of Santa Chiara in Matera, stands proudly as the oldest museum in the Basilicata region, established on 9 February 1911 thanks to the generous donation of archaeological collections by Senator and physician Domenico Ridola. Today, it forms one of the two locations of the National Museum of Matera, underlining its central role in preserving the territory’s ancient heritage.

Visitors will discover a meticulously arranged journey through prehistory and antiquity. The museum features a prehistoric section brimming with Pleistocene artifacts-such as arrows, javelins, and axes from Matera’s Murgia, notably the Bat Cave (Grotta dei Pipistrelli)-alongside remains of Neolithic fortified villages from sites like Tirlecchia, Murgia Timone, Murgecchia, and Serra d’Alto, the latter renowned for its richly decorated pottery.

Further exploration leads to displays from the valleys of the Basento and Bradano rivers. These showcase a vast array of archaeological riches-from tombs and Iron Age grave goods in Pisticci, Ferrandina, Pomarico, Garaguso, and Tricarico, to funerary offerings and red-figure pottery, as well as bronze and Roman-age artifacts documenting the evolving civilizations of the area. A highlight is the Timmari collection, featuring votive statuettes, bronzes, and monumental red-figure vessels from the 5th–4th century B.C., attesting to the area’s rich ritualistic and funerary practices.

In the Sala Ridola, the museum honors its founder through manuscripts, personal documents, and relics, offering an intimate glimpse into the life and legacy of Ridola, who, besides being a dedicated archaeologist, was a beloved local physician and senator. This final room connects visitors not only with ancient civilizations, but also with the passionate scholar who made their preservation possible.