Il Comune >> La Città >> Taranto attraverso le immagini

The National Archeological Museum houses the greater part of Taranto's Greek treasures. Taranto was an important colony of Sparta, the rich capital of Magna Grecia.

Admiring the vast collection of ceramic and earthenware pieces on exhibit here, one aquires an understanding of ancient funerary rites, wartime strategy, the role of sports in ancient Greek civilization, commerce, and general life-style in ancient Taranto.

Of particular beauty is the section dedicated to goldsmith artistry of Taranto in the Hellenistic Period (IVth - IInd c.B.C.).Stunning examples include a diadem from the tomb of Canosa decorated in glod and precious stones, earrings in the shape of lion's head, a seashell-shaped, jewelcase made of silver and a nut-cracker with gold designs.

The museum's gold pieces collection has been exhibited with great success in Milano, Paris, Hamburg and Tokio.