National Archaeological Museum of Taranto (MArTA)
MArTA holds one of the most important collections of Magna Graecia artefacts in the world, yet it remains blissfully uncrowded compared to Naples or Rome. The crown jewel is the Ori di Taranto — a breathtaking hoard of ancient Greek gold jewellery so intricate it looks freshly made by a master goldsmith.
What Makes MArTA Unmissable
The museum occupies a former convent and spans four floors, tracing Taranto's history from prehistoric times through the height of the Greek colony of Taras (the wealthiest city in Magna Graecia) and into the Roman period.
The Ori di Taranto collection on the upper floor stops visitors cold: earrings, diadems, necklaces and bracelets crafted in the 4th and 3rd centuries BC with filigree and granulation techniques of astonishing delicacy — all recovered from local tombs.
Don't skip the terracotta votive figurines and the enormous Greek red-figure kraters; together they paint a vivid picture of daily life, ritual and mythology in ancient Taras.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Allow at least two hours; the gold room alone deserves 30 minutes of unhurried looking. Audio guides in English are available at the ticket desk and add significant context.
The museum is located on Corso Umberto I in the modern city, a 10-minute walk from the swing bridge — easy to combine with a morning on the old town island.
The ground-floor gift shop sells high-quality reproduction jewellery inspired by the Ori di Taranto collection — unusual and genuinely beautiful souvenirs.
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