Capo Colonna Archaeological Museum
Capo Colonna is an important site when talking about the history of the Ancient Greeks and Romans in Calabria. The peninsula, located just south of Crotone, is a testament to the ancient civilizations that founded this territory ages ago.
As a matter of fact, Crotone used to be an Ancient Greek colony known as Kroton. Crotone and the surrounding areas, particularly Capo Colonna (just 10 km south) are deeply rooted in Greek mythology. Interestingly, many people say Hercules founded the settlement in Capo Colonna and ordered the construction of a massive 48-column Doric Temple dedicated to Hera Lacinia. Although this is only folklore, the temple is believed to date back to 470 BC.
Today, Capo Colonna is home to a very extensive Archaeological Park revealing traces of both the Greek and Roman civilizations that settled there. And most importantly, you will find the very last remaining ancient column still standing from the temple built in honor of Hera.
Hera (Roman name: Juno)
So, if you aren’t up to scratch on your Greek or Roman mythology, I’ll help you out. Hera was Zeus’ wife and Queen of the Gods. She was the goddess of woman, marriage, and family and considered the ideal woman due to her faithfulness. But, let’s be honest, no one is perfect! She was also known to have a jealous side. Especially when it came to her husband’s many lovers and the illegitimate children that resulted from these forbidden romances.
The Archaeological Museum of Capo Colonna
The museum, inaugurated in 2006, is located at the entrance of the Archaeological Park. It offers an expansive collection of artifacts and history linked to this area. We walked into the museum and were greeted by friendly and welcoming staff eager to answer any questions we may have.
The museum is spread out over a large area with neatly presented showcases and information panels. However, the information panels are in Italian so you’ll need a translation app or a trusty travel companion that is fluent in Italian.
The museum is divided into three colour-coded sections:
THE ROMAN VILLAGE (Green)
The first section of the museum showcases ceramics and various everyday objects used by the Romans of the time – from noblemen to modest peasants. When the Romans settled here, they reinforced the town walls and built other structures typically common in the Roman era, like a Roman-style Villa and thermal bath.
There are segments of materials typical of Roman architecture. An information panel nearby breaks down the techniques the Romans used in construction.
The Romans used limestone wheels like this one to mill grains.
We had some fun trying to guess what certain trinkets were, even though most of the time we weren’t even close!
THE SANCTUARY OF HERA LACINIA (Red)
The second section displays artifacts from the ancient temple of the goddess. It was constructed at the beginning of the sixth century BC. However, it became a place to hold offerings to the goddess after the bigger temple was built in 470 BC.
I absolutely love the way they display the various unearthed fragments. The pieces are set up almost like a jigsaw puzzle with an image next to them to show you what the section would have looked like.
These are pieces of a beam used in the construction of the Doric temple. This technique involves using a horizontal beam placed over two columns, as opposed to arches.
UNDERWATER ARCHEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES (Blue)
The third and final section of the museum reveals all the artifacts and items found in various underwater discoveries over the years. In fact, a large part of the collection hails from the shipwreck of Punta Scifo which was discovered in 1986. The shipwreck of a large transport ship which was shipping marble and semi-finished products intended to be used on the most valuable estates of the Emperor in Rome.
This is a small piece of an amphora, a container that the Romans would use to hold wine. It typically had a long neck, wide oval-shaped body, and two handles. They came in all shapes and sizes; some were as big as a grown man!
There are so many marble pieces – fragments of pillars, sculptures, and décor for instance.
This captivating marble sculpture depicts Cupid (love) and Psyche (soul) in each others’ arms. Mythology has always intrigued me, so this statue really caught my attention!
We spent a lot of time gazing at all the displays and reading about all the different artifacts. It’s incredible how many “recent” discoveries have been made. But they’ve only really scratched the surface! Archeologists and researchers are still excavating the Roman ruins so who knows what else will turn up!
The park and museum are definitely a must-see when visiting Crotone, especially if you love history and are really into Ancient Greek and Roman ruins. You can easily organize it as a day trip from Crotone or even Cosenza like I did!
Location:
Via Hera Lacinia
Crotone, KR 88900
FYI: As of this time, there are no direct buses or trains to the park or museum. Plan to have a driver or rent a car to get there.
Admission and Hours of Operation:
Admission:
FREE
Hours of Operation:
Museum:
Tuesday to Sunday
9:00am – 1:00pm / 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Monday CLOSED
Park:
Tuesday to Sunday
9:00am – 7:30pm
Monday CLOSED
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Comments are closed.
Katja
January 24, 2020 at 6:27 pmCiao Lulu!
E’ stata una grande scoperta trovarti per caso! E sono contenta che nel tuo blog racconti della Calabria: per me, è una regione che ha tanto da offrire!
Ho passato tante estati da queste parti e conosco bene Capo Colonna, Crotone e Le Castella: leggere questo tuo post su Capo Colonna e Hera Lacinia mi hai fatto venire una gran nostalgia di questi posti.
LuLu
January 26, 2020 at 9:13 amGrazie mille, Katja! Sono contentissima che ti e’ piaciuto il mio blog! Hai ragione, la Calabria e’ una regione che ha tanto da scoprire. Ogni giorno scopro nuovi posti che vorrei andare a vedere! Se ti trovi a Cosenza, fammi sapere!
Katja
December 29, 2020 at 11:16 amLo scorso settembre dovevo scendere a trovare parenti a Crotone ma alla fine è saltato tutto! Chissà se prima o poi riuscirò visitare ancora la Calabria … nel caso non mi dispiacerebbe conoscere altre città e magari ci si potrà incontrare a Cosenza!
LuLu
January 6, 2021 at 7:40 amSpero davvero che tu possa tornare presto in Calabria, e sarei così felice di incontrarti a Cosenza e mostrarti la città! Un abbraccio cara!
Lyosha
January 19, 2020 at 8:18 amlooks so very curious! I love history museums a lot!
Image Earth Travel
January 17, 2020 at 9:43 pmEnjoyed the read.
I’ll have to make it over there as it’s not that far from us in Cosenza. So much history in Calabria that I’m still discovering after several years here…
LuLu
January 18, 2020 at 7:28 amYou haven’t been to Capo Colonna yet? I’ve been a couple times and it’s been interesting to see it change over time. They’ve done a nice job with the museum, I hope they continue to do more excavations because there is definitely so much left to be discovered. I’m glad you enjoyed the post! 🙂
Daphne takahashi
January 17, 2020 at 5:48 pmI find it really interesting how everyone’s culture intertwines at some moment in time. Loved this post! I love going to museums and watching documentaries about scientific findings, how people loved before, what happened to them and all the story that unfolded. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Erica (The Prepping Wife)
January 17, 2020 at 2:40 pmI must admit that I am a nerd when it comes to museums. When I am visiting a new place, that is one of my go-to spots! I may be a nerd. But it is so much fun to see artifacts and explore the history behind them.
Melanie
January 17, 2020 at 11:13 amIt is always nice to learn about history and a musuem is a perfect place to do. Looks like a nice day out x
Smita
January 16, 2020 at 12:28 pmSuch a fascinating collection of artefacts here! Thanks for the refresher on Greek Mythology – I’ve always found it very intriguing.
Lene
January 15, 2020 at 8:01 pmI went to university for psychology, which was admittedly a bit of a runner-up. At heart, I wanted to be an archaeologist, but… dig sites and ruins aren’t known for their wheelchair accessibility. 😉 Thank you for helping me geek out about history today!
LuLu
January 17, 2020 at 8:58 amI wanted to be an archaeologist too when I was younger! I don’t know why I didn’t pursue it, to be honest. But, it’s funny because now I live in a place that is literally bursting with history, so it’s perfect! 🙂
Live Learn Better
January 15, 2020 at 7:42 pmThese are piece of history!!! I’m so glad and happy to be reading this here. I plan to visit Europe during the summer and this might be in the plan.
Thank you for sharing.
LuLu
January 17, 2020 at 8:56 amThanks! 🙂 Let me know if you need some advice or recommendations for Calabria! 🙂
Kelly Martin
January 15, 2020 at 5:17 amI’m really interested in Roman history so this museum would be great to visit. The artefacts look interesting and I could spend ages there looking at all of them.
Lindsay Brown
January 15, 2020 at 3:18 amThis definitely sounds like a museum my husband would love! He is such a history buff and loves learning more about ancient ruins. I love how you gave so much historic background regarding this site because, I on the other hand, am not much of a history buff lol So this was a very interesting and informative read for me!
LuLu
January 17, 2020 at 8:55 amThanks so much, Lindsay! The history of these places goes so far back, I’m learning a lot since moving here! 🙂
Aryanne Padilha
January 15, 2020 at 12:47 amI’m fascinated by all the marble and what they found underwater. I also love the first shot where you see the ocean, the water in Calabria is fascinating! I miss it.
LuLu
January 17, 2020 at 8:54 amI know, Calabria is so fortunate to be almost entirely surrounded by gorgeous seas and water! The day I visited it was SO windy, the waves were unreal!
Nicole Anderson | Camping for Women
January 14, 2020 at 8:57 pmRoman and Greek histories are something I have always found fascinating and going through the museum to look at the remaining artefacts is something that would I would enjoy so much (although I would need to use the app because I don’t know Italian). The ancient column still standing from the temple built in honor of Hera, reminds me a lot of Pompay’s Pillar in the city of Alexandria, Egypt. Love the surrounding beauty of this area as well.
LuLu
January 17, 2020 at 8:53 amRoman and Greek history has always interested me too! I hope to visit Egypt some day! 🙂
Luna S
January 14, 2020 at 8:43 pmI love exploring new museums, it is so amazing the history and neat artifacts they hold. Thanks for sharing this one with us, I will check it out if I am ever in the area.
LuLu
January 17, 2020 at 8:52 amCalabria is a wonderful region to visit, still relatively untouched by mass tourism! 🙂 A great place to get an authentic Italian experience! 🙂
Ann Pape
January 14, 2020 at 5:38 pmWhat an interesting and informative post! Fingers crossed my husband and I can make it to Capo Colonna Archaeological Museum soon.
Despite Pain
January 14, 2020 at 5:12 pmI love archaeological finds. I think this would be a fascinating trip. The sculpture of Cupid and Psyche is amazing, isn’t it?
LuLu
January 17, 2020 at 8:50 amIt really is, and the fact that it is still in such good condition amazes me!
Subhashish Roy
January 14, 2020 at 4:36 pmSo good to learn about the Archaeological Museum of Capo Colonna. I too have keen interest in knowing more about the history of places that we visit. Thanks for sharing.
LuLu
January 17, 2020 at 8:50 amThanks, Roy! It’s a pleasure sharing these interesting places with the world! 🙂
Scott DeNicola
January 14, 2020 at 2:43 pmThis is so cool to me! As a kid, I was fascinated with Greek and Roman times, mythology, etc. It is so amazing to see actual artifacts from this time period and mind-boggling to see some of these pieces still intact. Something to be said about the craftsmanship that they have stood the test of time. The Archaeological Museum of Capo Colonna would be a must-see for me!
LuLu
January 17, 2020 at 8:49 amIt is remarkable how much is still being discovered here! Many finds are pretty recent considering how far they go back! There is still a large part of this area that hasn’t even been excavated yet.