MUSMA, the Museum of Contemporary Sculpture in Matera, occupies Palazzo Pomarici, a historic residence in the Sassi. Its galleries move between built rooms and spaces carved into the city’s soft limestone, placing modern sculpture in vaulted chambers and grottoes rather than conventional white-walled rooms.
Opened in 2006, the museum is part of the cultural renewal of the Sassi, whose residents were relocated in the 1950s after years of poor living conditions. The districts later gained UNESCO World Heritage status, and Matera was named European Capital of Culture in 2019. MUSMA brings Italian and international sculpture into this much older landscape, creating a conversation between contemporary art and the city’s rock-cut architecture.
The setting is as compelling as the collection. As you descend from the palazzo into quieter, rough-hewn spaces, changes in light and texture alter how the sculptures appear. It’s a rewarding way to experience the interiors of the Sassi as well as a welcome pause from their busy viewpoints.
Allow around an hour and check opening days and hours before visiting, as they can change. Approach on foot and wear shoes with grip: the surrounding lanes are steep and uneven. Stairs and low passages inside may also pose difficulties for visitors with limited mobility, so ask the museum about access in advance.