Tavole Palatine (Metaponto)
Tavole Palatine
The ruins of a Doric temple to Hera from the 6th century BC. Its 15 standing columns are the emblem of Metaponto, an ancient Greek colonial city.
Metaponto was an ancient Greek colony in southern Italy, and tradition holds that the philosopher Pythagoras spent his final years there. The Tavole Palatine temple lies just outside the city and retains two rows of 15 Doric columns in total. Entry is free. Nearby, the Metaponto National Archaeological Museum and the ancient city archaeological park offer a good introduction to Magna Graecia. The site is about 45 km from Matera, a 40-minute drive, and you can stop at the Ionian Sea beaches along the way.
Opening hours
All day (archaeology museum per official website)
Nearby sights
- Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo, Montescaglioso
- Murgia Materana Park
- Belvedere Murgia Timone
- Convicinio di Sant'Antonio
- Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario
- Church of San Pietro Caveoso
- Santa Maria de Idris
- Sasso Caveoso