National Archaeological Museum of Crotone

The National Archaeological Museum of Crotone, known locally as Museo archeologico nazionale di Crotone, stands as a beacon of historical and cultural significance in the fortified medieval town of Crotone, in the province of Crotone, Calabria, Italy. This museum, managed by the Ministry of Culture through the Regional Directorate of Museums since December 2019, offers an enthralling journey through time, showcasing the rich archaeological heritage of the region.

The Origins of the National Archaeological Museum of Crotone

The museum opened its doors to the public in 1968, building on the collection of the former Civic Museum of Crotone. Initially, it comprised artifacts from unofficial excavations and the antiquities market. Over time, the museum's collection expanded to include numerous significant discoveries from official excavations in the city, its necropolises, and surrounding settlements. These artifacts provide a comprehensive glimpse into the region's ancient past, from the Neolithic era through to the Roman period.

Exploring the Collections

The National Archaeological Museum of Crotone boasts an impressive array of exhibits spanning various historical periods. The Neolithic section features stone axes and obsidian scrapers from Petilia Policastro, alongside a remarkable Minoan-Mycenaean ceramic fragment from Capo Piccolo, an important Bronze Age settlement discovered in 1977. Visitors can also marvel at Iron Age artifacts such as bulging-necked jugs, diverse fibulae, and rare tools from the tombs of Cirò.

The museum's Bronze Age collection is particularly noteworthy, including two raised-edge axes from Timpone delle Rose Roccabernarda/Petilia Policastro, one of which is intricately decorated with geometric designs. Additionally, the final Bronze Age and Iron Age hoards feature axes and bronze objects from Cirò and the area south of Crotone.

The Greek Period

The Greek period is richly represented in the museum's collections. The Archaic period artifacts include Corinthian ointment vases and various ceramic fragments, such as Attic black-figure vases and a Chalcidian vase. The museum also houses ceramics from Lucania, Apulia, and Etruria. Notable Greek artifacts from Crotone include an archaic antefix depicting a Gorgon's head, a clay head of a young man, a small altar with Heracles battling centaurs, various votive reliefs, red-figure ceramics, an oscillum, and bronze statuettes of Hercules wearing the lion skin of Nemea.

Among the Greek inscriptions, a numbered boundary stone inscribed in Greek and two bronze spearheads, likely trophies, bearing inscriptions identifying their owners, stand out. A votive relief from the urban area of Crotone, carved on a marble slab from Naxos, depicts the goddess Hera conversing with another female figure, possibly a minor deity or the personification of the city itself. This relief dates to 450-420 BC.

The Sanctuary of Hera

A dedicated section of the museum showcases findings from the Sanctuary of Hera at Capo Colonna. This collection includes numerous votive objects, architectural decoration fragments in marble and terracotta, and sculpture fragments. Highlights include a black-figure ceramic fragment from the 6th century BC and a beautiful marble head of Apollo Citaredo, dating to 350-300 BC, discovered in the Cimino area on the Capo Colonna promontory.

The Treasure of Hera, discovered in Building B of the Heraion, is a must-see. It includes a golden diadem, an indigenous belt pendant, and a Nuragic lamp shaped like a spaceship. The museum also proudly displays two extraordinary bronze askoi in the form of sirens, dating to the 5th and 6th centuries BC, respectively. These rare artifacts were repatriated from the J. Paul Getty Museum in 2009.

The Roman Era and Beyond

The Roman period is represented by two large marble basins from the cargo of a shipwreck at Punta Scifo, discovered by Antonio Tricoli. Additionally, the museum houses a statue base with an inscription found during the construction of the Church of San Giuseppe in the 18th century. Two other marble bases with inscriptions, found near the Castle in the historic center of Crotone, are now housed in the Provincial Museum of Catanzaro.

Since 2012, the museum has displayed the fascinating Egyptian stele of Horus on crocodiles, returned from the Civic Museum of Natural History in Milan after 35 years. This stele, found in Crotone, adds an exotic touch to the museum's diverse collection.

Other Notable Exhibits

The museum also documents other sanctuaries in the region, including the Sanctuary of Sant'Anna in the Manche della Vozza area of Cutro, the Temple of Apollo Alaios at Krimisa (Cirò Marina), the Doric temple of Caulonia, and a cult area at Punta Stilo. Medieval artifacts from the municipal territory are displayed in the Sottocampana barracks, part of the Charles V Castle, also managed by the state and entrusted to the Archaeological Heritage of Calabria.

In conclusion, the National Archaeological Museum of Crotone is a treasure trove of historical artifacts that offers an immersive journey through the ages. From prehistoric tools to exquisite Greek ceramics and Roman relics, the museum's diverse collections provide a captivating insight into the rich cultural heritage of Crotone and its surrounding areas. Whether you are a history enthusiast or a casual visitor, the Museo archeologico nazionale di Crotone promises a fascinating and educational experience that you will not soon forget.