Museo Archeologico Sigismondo Castromediano (Sigismondo Castromediano Archaelogical Museum), Lecce

The Sigismondo Castromediano Archaelogical Museum is the oldest museum in Apulia, founded in 1868 by the local patriot and duke, Sigismondo Castromediano.

It preserves a vast collection of archaeological artifacts and artworks from the Salento region and greater Apulia, with a special focus on the ancient Messapian civilization that thrived between the 9th and 2nd centuries BC. The museum presents a broad cultural panorama spanning from the Paleolithic era to the late Roman period, reflecting the region’s rich history and Mediterranean connections.

Key highlights include Messapian pottery inspired by Mycenaean styles, Greek and Roman jewelry, weaponry, and remains from ancient tombs, alongside a reconstruction of the Grotta dei Cervi cave paintings from nearby Porto Badisco.

The museum is organized into three main sections: archaeology, art, and lapidary. The archaeological displays feature a comprehensive collection of Attic red-figure vases, Messapian ceramics, and Roman statues recovered from the local amphitheater.

The art gallery documents the region’s Byzantine and Venetian influences through paintings by notable artists such as Alvise Vivarini, Paolo Finoglio, and Oronzo Tiso, spanning the Middle Ages to the 18th century.

Additionally, the museum houses a small but intriguing collection of minor arts, including pottery, ceramics, ivory, bronze, and silver pieces from the Baroque period.

Despite periods of neglect following Castromediano’s death, the museum has regained prestige over time and now holds over 5,000 items.