The Archaeological Museum of Bari: the former abbey of Santa Scolastica
A place of powerful beauty and inhabited by the history of Bari.
In the beating heart of old Bari, immersed in the medieval streets that tell centuries of history, is the Santa Scolastica Museum, a place where past and present meet. Housed in the ancient Benedictine monastery of Santa Scolastica, this museum is a privileged window on the archaeological history of the city and its land. Every room, every find, every corner of the museum tells the stories of peoples who have left their mark on Apulia, from the earliest prehistoric populations to the settlements of the Greeks and Romans. A visit to the Museo Santa Scolastica is a journey through time, a continuous discovery that fascinates both locals and tourists curious to explore the deepest roots of this extraordinary region.
The former abbey of Santa Scolastica in Bari Vecchia
The St. Scholastica Museum is housed in an ancient Benedictine monastery dating back to the 10th-11th centuries. The building, which overlooks the sea, has undergone numerous extensions and transformations over the centuries. Originally intended for monastic life, the monastery has seen the entrance of historical and religious figures, such as Duchess Bona Sforza, who enlarged the structure with a defensive bastion in the 16th century. The monastery also housed a hospice and underwent extensive restoration, culminating in the opening of the museum in 2021. Today, this complex is a place that fuses history, architecture and culture, offering a unique experience to those who visit Bari
The Collections of the St. Scholastica Museum
The St. Scholastica Archaeological Museum houses a vast collection of artefacts ranging from prehistory to the metal age, with a focus on the civilisation of the Iapigi, the Greeks and the Peucetians. The collections are divided into two exhibition floors, each with a thematic focus on a different historical era. Each artefact, be it an everyday object, an ornament or a tool, tells us about the life and traditions of the peoples who inhabited this land, giving a unique value to a visit to the museum.
The Polese Collection, the Iapigi and the Greeks in the land of Bari
The first floor of the St. Scholastica Museum is dedicated to one of its most significant collections: the Polese Collection, which brings together artefacts from ancient times from local excavations. Prominent among them are the Apulian vases, famous for their refined and detailed decorations that tell mythological stories, everyday scenes and divine figures. The vases and ceramics on display not only document the evolution of ceramic styles but also the influence of cultures that intertwined in the Mediterranean.
The collection also includes gold jewellery, which dates back to the Classical period, together with everyday objects, such as iron tools and working implements, which highlight the level of technological development and daily life of the ancient inhabitants of the region. The section dedicated to the Iapigi and the Greeks offers an important overview of the Greek-Italic settlements in the region, with a focus on the art, culture and religiosity of these peoples. Among the most significant exhibits are statues and busts depicting gods and mythological figures, demonstrating the intermingling of Greek, Italic and oriental influences..
Prehistory, Protohistory and the Metal Age
The second floor of the Museo Santa Scolastica houses a section that explores the prehistory and history of the region. Among the most relevant exhibits are prehistoric remains, such as lithic tools, mud and terracotta, which testify to the life of the first populations of Apulia. The findings in this section tell the story of the transition from a subsistence economy to the first structured social organisation, in which the first communities began to engage in agriculture and animal husbandry.
The Copper and Metal Age section exhibits objects and tools made of copper and bronze, used by ancient peoples to make weapons, tools and ornaments. These artefacts highlight a growing skill in metalworking techniques and their daily use in activities related to domestic and agricultural life.
The Peucezi section delves into the culture and traditions of the Italic people who inhabited the Bari area. The Peucezi were a warrior and agrarian population, and their artefacts show the importance of trade, arts and funerary traditions. Among the exhibits are funerary stelae, decorated ceramics and weapons, which provide insight into the social, religious and political life of this population.
Life in the Monastery
The monastery of St Scholastica is not only a place of art and history, but also a central point of religious life in Bari over the centuries. The Benedictines who lived there left significant traces in the city’s history, contributing to the spiritual and cultural growth of Bari. Visitors to the Santa Scolastica Museum can also discover these aspects, thanks to documents and objects that tell of the daily life of the monks, their work in the surrounding lands and the influence they exerted on the local community.
The Restoration of the St. Scholastica Museum
The restoration and re-functioning of the monastery began in 2011, when it was decided to transform the building into a space dedicated to culture and archaeology. The project breathed new life into the monastery, maintaining its historical charm, but enriching it with a modern and functional layout. The St. Scholastica Museum was inaugurated in 2021, and thanks to the restoration, it is now possible to enjoy a unique visual and emotional experience that merges the past with the present, allowing visitors to explore the history of Bari through exhibits and narratives
A Visit to History
The Museo Santa Scolastica is an essential stop for anyone wishing to understand the history of Bari and its land. Its collections tell centuries of culture, art and traditions, and it is a place that every history and archaeology enthusiast should visit. Discover Bari differently, immerse yourself in its deepest roots and be fascinated by the stories that the Museo Santa Scolastica has to tell.
Opening Hours:
- Monday: 9:00 – 13:00
- Tuesday to Friday: 9:00 – 18:00
- Saturday: 9:00 – 14:00
- Sunday: Closed
