Things to see · Museums
Palazzo Arcieri and museums, San Mauro Forte
San Mauro Forte (Matera)
Palazzo Arcieri and museums, San Mauro Forte is in San Mauro Forte, province of Matera. Opening hours: Opening times vary: ask the San Mauro Forte Town Hall. Admission: To be checked with the Town Hall.
- To be checked with the Town Hall.
- Opening times vary: ask the San Mauro Forte Town Hall.
About this place
Palazzo Arcieri is one of the most important noble palaces in San Mauro Forte. For a long time it was the seat of the Town Hall, and today it houses the town’s museums, dedicated to travelling in Basilicata and rural life.
History
The palace was built at the end of the 18th century by Gaetano Arcieri, in the heart of the historic centre. In 1809 it was sacked and set on fire by brigands, who also destroyed the municipal archive. In the 19th century the writer and traveller Cesare Malpica stayed here.
What to see
• The loggia overlooking the valley.
• The stuccoes and frescoed ceilings of the noble halls.
• The old cellars on the lower floors.
• The multimedia museum «In viaggio in Basilicata» (Travelling in Basilicata), which tells the story of the region through the eyes of travellers.
• The Museum of Rural Life, with tools and objects from the past.
Other palaces in the centre
Strolling around, you will come across other 18th-century palaces, often with private chapels: Palazzo Lauria, with its Baroque portal from 1770, and the Acquaviva, Del Turco, Deufemia, Scalese, Di Mase and Onorati palaces.
Useful information
• Museum opening times are not fixed, so it is best to contact the Comune (town hall) first.
• Just a short walk away is the Norman tower. The town also has a museum dedicated to the cowbells of the January Sagra (festival).
