18th-century noble building constructed by the will of Giovanni De Lieto in 1734 to house the first hospital of Maratea. During the 19th century, the Maratea hospital was declared a district hospital and in the following century it moved to the former convent of the Paolotti. The palace, abandoned in the 1990s, has been restored and today is owned by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and is used for cultural activities.
Located in the ancient village of Maratea, the palace rests on a large rocky promontory. It develops over two floors and features large halls. The upper floor has long arcades, interspersed with arches with worked jambs. It preserves the original stone portal. This is presented with a large wooden door, supported by stone and tuff lintels. The jambs and arches are made of squared stones, and on the keystone is the coat of arms of the De Lieto family. Above the pediment, there is a plaque inscribed:
(Hospital built at his own expense by Giovanni De Lieto in the year 1734. Oronzo, of the same family, wished to remind future generations with this plaque.)
Inside it houses a permanent collection of artifacts recovered from the seabed of the islet of Santo Janni. The rooms hold numerous lead anchors as well as transport amphorae, many of which bear factory marks. These objects certainly formed part of the cargo of a shipwrecked oil ship. Studies have also established that many amphorae contained garum, a delicacy fish sauce consumed at wealthy patrician tables.
Information about De Lieto Palace – Archaeological Exhibition
Via Gafaro, 1
85046 Maratea (Potenza)
0973 877676
Source: MIBACT
