Palazzo dell'Annunziata (Annunziata Palace), Matera

The Annunziata Palace on Vittorio Veneto Square is one of many valuable pearls of Matera. The Baroque-style building of the 18th century is a former cloistered Dominican convent. Designed by architects Valentino da Bitonto and Manieri da Lecce, it currently houses the Provincial Library of Matera and its cultural heritage of books.

The two architects did not work together. In 1739 Valentino was let go, cause unknown. Manieri took over in 1742. The change in viewpoints is evident. Valentino followed the traditional monastic concept with the church at the center and the monastery around it. Manieri's changes can be seen in the four side windows.

Manieri demolished the church, replacing it with an internal courtyard. In 1844, engineer Gaetano di Giorgio built the Annunciation Church in the central enclosure. The nuns had their church at last, but the monastery was suppressed in 1861, and the property went to the city. The complex housed the city judiciary and a school.

In 1900, the clock and its cornice were placed on the facade. In the earthquake of 1980, the former convent was damaged, and its tenants moved out. The building was fully restored in 1998, and the Provincial Library "Tommaso Stigliani" was installed. In addition to an extensive collection of books and manuscripts, there is an important numismatic collection.