Parco archeologico di Canne della Battaglia e Antiquarium

The archaeological park and Antiquarium of Canne della Battaglia preserve a long settlement history above the Ofanto valley. The name Cannae is famous for Hannibal's victory over Rome in 216 BC, but the archaeological landscape extends far beyond that battle.

Why it matters

The site brings together prehistoric, Daunian, Roman and medieval evidence. Its significance lies in the history of a community and its territory, not simply in material remains attributed to a famous military encounter.

What to notice

The hilltop settlement contains remains of the medieval citadel, including the basilica and fortifications. Other areas preserve evidence of earlier occupation and burial. The Antiquarium places pottery, architectural material and other finds within this longer sequence, relating objects to the landscape from which they came.

Context and history

Settlement developed across successive ancient and medieval phases. The area's association with the battle of 216 BC gives it an exceptional place in historical memory, while later occupation continued through the Middle Ages. The Antiquarium was established in 1958 and reorganised in 2017, providing a setting for interpreting the site's varied archaeological record.