Archaeological Sites of Basilicata

Latest page update: 14 March 2025

By: Dion Protani

Some of the most important archaeological sites of Basilicata date back to the time when the region formed part of the wider Magna Graecia or "Greater Greece". An example of this is the Metaponto Archaeological Park which along with the nearby Tavole Palatine displays the ruins of a city established in the 7th century BC.

Metaponto was one of the most important cities of the time when the Greeks settled in southern Italy and flourished as successful traders. This was all many years before the Romans came along and the whole area of what we now call Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily was part of the same Magna Graecia civilisation.

It's incredible to think that the extraordinary Sassi of Matera date back to a time when even the Greeks hadn't arrived in Italy. The cave dwellings in Matera show evidence of human life some seven thousand years before Christ. Since 1993 it's been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers something quite unique in terms of its historical context.

Related Links

Basilicata
Things to see in Basilicata

Archaeological Sites of Italy
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy

Metaponto Archaeological Park

Metaponto Archaeological Park, Basilicata

Tavole Palatine

Tavole Palatine, Basilicata

The Sassi of Matera

Matera, Basilicata

Basilicata Top 10 - My Recommended Destinations in Basilicata

1. Matera
2. Craco
3. Maratea
4. Melfi
5. Pietrapertosa
6. Sant'Angelo Le Fratte
7. Venosa
8. Pollino National Park
9. Satriano di Lucania
10. Castelmezzano

👉 Explore the Top 10 Places to Visit in Basilicata

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