Metaponto

Metaponto is a coastal locality in Basilicata, southern Italy, administratively a frazione of the comune of Bernalda in the province of Matera. It lies on the Ionian Sea near the delta of the Bradano River and hosts a significant archaeological site associated with the ancient Greek city of Metapontion.

Historically, Metapontion was a Greek city in Magna Graecia, founded in the 7th century BCE by colonists. It developed as a commercial and agricultural center and maintained relations with other Greek settlements in southern Italy and with the mother city network. The city reached its height in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE and later came under Roman control in the 3rd century BCE.

Archaeological remains within the Metaponto area include the Heraion, or Temple of Hera Lacinia, which is one of the most notable examples of Doric architecture in southern Italy. The site also preserves parts of the ancient city’s fortifications, streets, public buildings, and necropolises. Together, these remains provide insight into the urban planning and religious practices of a Greek polis in Magna Graecia. An on-site or nearby archaeological museum collections artifacts recovered from the area.

Modern Metaponto, particularly Metaponto Lido, is a seaside resort that forms part of Bernalda. The area attracts visitors for its beaches and for the archaeological legacy, which continues to inform research on ancient Greek colonization in Italy and the interactions between Greek and Italic cultures.