San Severo Civic Museum

The Alto Tavoliere Museum, recently renovated and equipped with the most modern services, occupies the rooms of the historic building of the former Convent of San Francesco d’Assisi. The convent complex, of ancient origin (first recorded in 1232), was rebuilt after the earthquake of July 30, 1627, expanding southwest towards the ancient city wall layout; the structure and the adjoining church underwent further renovations in the early eighteenth century and throughout the twentieth century, up to the latest interventions completed in 2009 aimed at upgrading the museum exhibits for better enjoyment and enhancement of the entire building. With the suppression of the Franciscan order, the complex was repurposed for various uses beyond its original intent: military barracks, town hall, orphanage, elementary school, and cultural venue from the late twentieth century until today.

 

 

 

 

The MAT guides visitors through the territory’s past via the rich heritage from archaeological areas, from the Paleolithic to the Middle Ages.

The exhibition of collections is preceded by two sections narrating the history of the territory conceived as a history of landscapes, revealed through past travelers’ diaries and aerial photographs that led to the discovery of archaeological sites.

The path documents the presence of human settlements in the surrounding areas since the Paleolithic. The prehistoric collection features materials from casual finds and surface collections; original artifacts are accompanied by reconstructions and faithful copies of objects providing insights into prehistoric peoples’ lives.

The MAT houses one of the most important collections of grave goods from Daunian-era tombs; objects come from the necropolises of Serpente, Pedincone, Casone (dedicated an entire room), and the urban center of San Severo. Among the most intriguing exhibited items, the presence of stelae, funerary markers, and grave goods emphasizing the deceased’s prestige (valuable metal artifacts, Hellenistic-style ceramic wares) is notably significant.

 The archaeological section on the upper floor concludes with a thematic room dedicated to Apulian red-figure pottery production and its developments represented by polychrome tempera ceramics.

The Lapidarium on the lower floor houses some Roman-era artifacts, providing insight into the social history of this area when it became part of Rome’s political and economic sphere between the 3rd century BC and 1st century AD. Another room on the lower floor documents, through archaeological finds, the productions that have characterized the Alto Tavoliere territory since ancient times: wheat, wine, olive oil, and transhumant pastoralism.

Within the museum, the “Luigi Schingo” Art Gallery was established in 2006, consisting of forty works including paintings, sculptures, and drawings, grouped by themes: landscapes, portraits, everyday life scenes.

The path ends with a ground floor space reserved for temporary exhibitions.

At the fully accessible MAT, guided tours, educational workshops, experimental activities, simulations, and animations with specialized operators are held. Targeted paths, projects, consulting, and in-depth studies are also carried out upon request and according to special needs presented by teaching staff.