Things to see · Museums
Convent of San Pietro and Emotional Museum of Craco (MEC)
Craco (Matera)
Convent of San Pietro and Emotional Museum of Craco (MEC) is in Craco, province of Matera. Opening hours: Guided visits only. 1 April to 31 October: every day 9:30–18:30; 1 November to 31 March: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10:00–15:00. Admission: The Emotional Museum can be visited on its own or with the full ticket (museum park and museum) from €16.20.
- The Emotional Museum can be visited on its own or with the full ticket (museum park and museum) from €16.20.
- Guided visits only. 1 April to 31 October: every day 9:30–18:30; 1 November to 31 March: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10:00–15:00.
About this place
The Convent of San Pietro is one of the few buildings in Craco that survived almost intact after the landslide of 1963. Today it houses the MEC – Museo Emozionale di Craco and is the starting point for guided tours of Craco vecchia.
History
The convent of the Frati Minori (Friars Minor) was founded around 1620, just outside the village. It was restored between 1998 and 2000 and again between 2014 and 2015, and today almost all of its rooms are open to visitors.
The Museo Emozionale
• Multimedia installations that combine technology, art and history to tell the story of Craco before and after its abandonment.
• Historic photos and videos of the village when it was still inhabited.
• Cinema in Craco: films shot in its streets, from «The Passion of the Christ» by Mel Gibson to «Quantum of Solace» and «Basilicata coast to coast».
• Photo exhibitions on the landscape of the calanchi (badlands).
• Panoramic terraces, with views over Craco vecchia and the surrounding hills.
How to visit
The convent has the ticket office and the meeting point for guides. You can visit just the museum or buy the full ticket, which also includes a walk through the museum park of Craco vecchia, with the Norman tower and the Mother Church of San Nicola. Tickets can also be bought online.
Useful information
• Craco can only be reached by private vehicle.
• In summer it gets very hot: the best seasons are spring and autumn.
• Guided tours are in Italian, with an audio guide in English.
