Metaponto (Metapontion) has Greek origins, as its name suggests, μετά (τόν) πόντον (metá (tón) pónton), which means “beyond the sea”, and until 1930 it belonged to the municipality of Pisticci. Since then, however, it has been incorporated into Bernalda, of which it became a hamlet.
The town lies on the plain of the same name, to which it gives its name, between two rivers: the Bradano and the Basento, and is regarded as one of the main seaside resorts on the region’s Ionian coast.
They were Greek settlers from Achaea to found the city in the second half of the 7th century BC, at the request of Sibari for colonial reinforcements from the mother country itself, in order to protect itself from the expansion of Taranto. It did not take long for it to become one of the leading cities of Magna Graecia.
Somewhere between myth and reality, it is also said that there were two Metapontos: one founded by Nestor, a Greek hero returning from the Trojan War, and the other of Achaean origin.
The city’s prosperity – including its economic prosperity – stems from its fertile soil, as evidenced by the ear of barley depicted on coins and which, as well as becoming a symbol of the city, was also a prized gift that was regularly sent to Delphi.
Among the famous figures who have passed through or lived there, Pythagoras, who founded a school there and spent the final years of his life there until his death in 490 BC.
Among Metaponto’s historic alliances, the one with Crotone and Sibari was crucial to the destruction of Siris in the 6th century BC. In 413 BC, it collaborated with Athens on its expedition to Sicily. In 280 BC, however, He formed an alliance with Pyrrhus and Taranto against Rome during the Battle of Eraclea.
However, following Rome’s crushing victory, Metapontum she was punished So much so that many of its inhabitants fled, seeking refuge in Pisticci, the only town that had remained loyal to it during the war. Other exiles were taken in at Genusium (Ginosa).
Meanwhile, the Romans turned the city’s urban layout on its head: a garrison took up position in a castrum built on the eastern side of the city.
Having forgotten about the first Roman punishment, it suffered a second one for having harboured Hannibal in 207 BC. Following its destruction, it became a federated city, regaining its former splendour.
In 72–73 BC, the plain of Metapontum was the scene of the passage of an army of slaves and desperate men led by Spartacus. His victories against the army enabled him to spread his message in Basilicata as well.
Plutarch said:
many herdsmen and shepherds from the region, who – being young and strong – joined them
plundering Metaponto at will.
According to history, it seems that it was in those parts that the dissident Spartacus met the Cilician pirate Tigranes (presumably King Tigranes II) to organise the long-awaited embarkation from Brindisi to Cilicia, which subsequently failed due to Tigranes’ own betrayal. This event coincided with a slow and gradual decline, followed by the abandonment of the city, which was left to the alluvial deposits of the rivers.
Not far from the modern-day town lies the archaeological site, whose ruins include the famous Palatine Tables and the National Archaeological Museum of Metaponto.
The stone remains – columns, capitals, beams and other artefacts – discovered over the years have been used in the construction of the historic centres of inland towns such as Bernalda, Montescaglioso, Ferrandina and Matera.
According to studies by Pier Nicola Leoni, it is believed that the columns which now support the two smaller naves of Matera Cathedral originally belonged to a temple at Metaponto.
Metaponto today
Today, the ancient Greek city is a thriving seaside resort which attracts a good number of tourists during the summer months.
There are plenty of places to stay, as well as bars and clubs and things to do both day and night.
As part of its future development, there is increasing talk of establishing a university specialising specifically in the conservation of artistic and archaeological heritage, and an international film school founded and directed by the renowned American film director of Bernaldese origin, Francis Ford Coppola. The venue is expected to be the ancient medieval castle of Torremare, near the Ferrovie dello Stato railway station.
Culture
Museums
Metaponto National Archaeological Museum
Research activities
In 1985, as part of the commitments made by Eni to the Basilicata region in connection with the exploitation of hydrocarbon resources, a consortium was established between the two organisations: “Metapontum Agrobios”.
This was followed by a handover: from Agip to EniChem Agricoltura, and finally a full takeover by the region, with the involvement of the Lucanian Agency for Development and Innovation in Agriculture (A.L.S.I.A.) in Pantanello.
The consortium’s purpose is to promote the transfer of innovation in agriculture and the agro-industrial sector through research projects and analytical services in the fields of plant biotechnology and the environment.
Sport
On 23 May 1996, Metaponto was the starting point for the 5th stage of the 1996 Giro d’Italia, which finished in Crotone and was won by Ángel Edo.
