Things to see · Archaeological sites
Tavole Palatine
Bernalda (Matera)
Tavole Palatine is in Bernalda, province of Matera. Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 8:30–19:30 (seasonal hours: check before visiting). Admission: Gratuito.
- Gratuito
- Tuesday–Sunday 8:30–19:30 (seasonal hours: check before visiting).
About this place
The Tavole Palatine, near Metaponto, are the evocative remains of a Greek temple probably dedicated to Hera, the goddess who protects marriage and the family. Built in the 6th century BC, when Metaponto was a prosperous city of Magna Graecia founded by Achaean colonists, the temple stood outside the town, in an area associated with religious rites and sanctuaries.
Fifteen Doric columns, complete with capitals and fluting, remain of the original structure, allowing us to imagine its grandeur. The name ‘Tavole Palatine’ is of more recent origin and its etymology is not entirely certain: over time, the site was also known as ‘Colonne Palatine’. Today, the colonnade, standing alone in the Metapontine countryside, is one of the most recognisable symbols of Magna Graecia in Basilicata.
Today, the site stands as a valuable testament to the past and to the presence of the Greeks in southern Italy.
