Sibari
Sibari is the modern name of the area associated with Sybaris, an important ancient Greek city on the coast of the Gulf of Taranto in what is now Calabria, southern Italy. Founded by Greek colonists in the eighth century BC, Sybaris became famous throughout the ancient Mediterranean for its wealth and luxury, giving rise to the word “sybarite.” Today the site forms part of one of the major archaeological landscapes of Magna Graecia.
At a glance
- Type
- Ancient Greek city and archaeological site
- Period
- Founded in the 8th century BC (Magna Graecia)
- Style
- Ancient Greek (Magna Graecia)
- Location
- Gulf of Taranto, Calabria, Italy
Overview
Sybaris was an important ancient Greek city situated on the coast of the Gulf of Taranto, in modern Calabria, Italy. It was one of the leading cities of Magna Graecia, the Greek world of southern Italy. The modern locality of Sibari preserves the name and stands near the ancient site.
History
Sybaris was founded by Greek colonists in the eighth century BC on the fertile coastal plain by the Gulf of Taranto. It grew into one of the wealthiest and most powerful cities of Magna Graecia, renowned for its prosperity and reputation for luxurious living. The city was famously destroyed in the sixth century BC, and later settlements, including the Greek Thurii and the Roman Copia, rose in the same area.
What you see
The archaeological area preserves the overlaid remains of the successive ancient cities on the coastal plain near the modern Sibari. Excavations have revealed streets, structures and layers belonging to the Greek and Roman phases of the settlement. Finds from the site are gathered in the local archaeological museum that documents the history of Sybaris and its successors.
Cultural significance
Sybaris is one of the most renowned cities of Magna Graecia and a key site for understanding Greek colonisation in southern Italy. Its legendary wealth gave the modern word “sybarite,” and its archaeological landscape remains a major reference for the study of the ancient Greek world in Calabria.
Practical information
The archaeological park and museum of Sibari operate as cultural heritage sites with their own visiting arrangements. For current opening hours, admission and access to the excavation area, check the official website of the archaeological site.
Getting there
Sibari lies on the Ionian coastal plain of northern Calabria and is reached by road from the surrounding towns of the Sibari plain. The nearest railway connections are on the Ionian line serving the area, with onward local transport by road. State roads link the site to the wider Calabrian network.