🖼️ Museums

Fondazione Museo Pino Pascali

📍 Polignano a Mare, Puglia · 52/100

Established in 2010 by the Municipality of Polignano a Mare and the Region of Puglia, the Fondazione Pino Pascali stands as the only permanent museum of contemporary art in the region. The institution is housed in a former municipal slaughterhouse located along the southern seafront cliffs, directly above the Adriatic waters. The venue officially opened on June 1, 2012, with a major artistic celebration titled "Ouverture".

What to see

The museum centers on the preservation, study, and promotion of Pino Pascali, a key figure in the Arte Povera movement. The layout features a permanent collection of Pascali's work alongside a dedicated documentary and bibliographic archive, while other galleries accommodate rotating contemporary art exhibitions. The foundation also coordinates the Pino Pascali Prize, created in 1969 by the artist's parents and chaired by Palma Bucarelli until 1979. Relaunched in 1997 by former director Rosalba Branà, the prize has been awarded to international artists and figures including Achille Bonito Oliva, Jan Fabre, Jake & Dinos Chapman, Nathalie Djurberg, Fabrizio Plessi, Zhang Huan, Ibrahim Mahama, Edward Burtynsky, and Nico Vascellari.

Visiting

Visitors can tour both the permanent holdings and the temporary shows curated throughout the year. In 2013, the publication Artribune named the site the best art foundation in Italy.

Our editors' tip

Take time to observe the architectural restoration of the former slaughterhouse, where original industrial lines frame direct views over the open sea.

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