Policoro and Ancient Siris-Herakleia
The Siritide Museum and remains of the Greek colony on the Ionian Sea
On the Ionian coast of Basilicata, near the mouth of the Agri and Sinni rivers, Policoro is a modern agricultural and seaside town built on a site of great historical importance: here stood two Greek cities of Magna Graecia. The first, Siris, was founded in the seventh century BC by Ionian colonists and became famous for its wealth and fertile land, until it was destroyed by the neighbouring cities. Then, in 433 BC, the cities of Taranto and Thurii founded Herakleia on the same site, named after the hero Heracles. Near Herakleia, in 280 BC, was fought the famous battle of Heraclea, in which Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, defeated the Romans thanks to his war elephants, but with such heavy losses that the expression "Pyrrhic victory" was born.
The Museo Archeologico Nazionale della Siritide, in Policoro, displays the rich finds of the area: Greek ceramics, painted vases, bronzes, jewellery, weapons and objects from the necropolises, as well as the famous bronze tablets of Heraclea, with laws written in Greek and Latin. Around the museum, the archaeological park preserves the remains of the city of Herakleia, with houses, streets, sanctuaries, such as that of Demeter, and kilns. Near the coast, the Bosco Pantano di Policoro, a WWF oasis, is one of the last remnants of the coastal wet forests that once covered the Ionian coast, home to rare plants and animals, and on the beaches nearby, the Caretta caretta sea turtles come to lay their eggs; a recovery centre takes care of injured turtles.
Tip: visit the museum and the archaeological park together; in summer, ask about turtle-nesting walks at the WWF oasis.
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