Description of the attraction
The National Museum of Magna Graecia, also known as the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio di Calabria, is one of the largest and most important Italian museums. It is located in the town of Reggio di Calabria in the building of Palazzo Piacentini.
Its original "core" is the archaeological collection of the former City Museum, collected back in the 19th century, which has grown over time thanks to finds made in the territory of the ancient Greek colonies of Calabria, Basilicata and Sicily. It also houses artifacts related to the prehistoric and protohistoric periods, the era of Ancient Rome and the Byzantine Empire. It is interesting that today new finds discovered in Calabria are no longer exhibited within the walls of the museum, but are located where they were found - the number of such exhibits allows the creation of small local museums, such as museums in Crotone, Locri, Sibari, Lamezia Terme and other towns. …
Among the most famous exhibits of the National Museum of Magna Graecia are undoubtedly the so-called “bronzes from Riace” - two large, well-preserved bronze statues from the 5th century BC found in the province of Reggio. They are considered the most significant finds from the Greek period. Also in the collection of the museum you can see the "Head of the Philosopher" from Porticello - a rare example of ancient Greek portrait painting, marble Kouros, marble head of Apollo of Chirò, bronze tablets from the Temple of Zeus in Locri, a rich collection of jewelry, mirrors, coins and medals and a collection of pinacs - plates made of wood and baked clay.
The building of the museum itself deserves a separate mention - Palazzo Piacentini, designed by the architect Marcello Piacentini and built in 1932-1941. It stands out for its monumentality and dimensions. The main facade is decorated with images of banknotes from different cities of Magna Graecia. Inside, in addition to the National Museum, the City Pinakothek is temporarily located, which houses the works of the great painter Antonello da Messina.
