Castello di Santa Severina

About the museum

The castle of Santa Severina began as a Byzantine kastron, with military and ecclesiastical buildings erected over earlier settlements, including traces of the Arab period. The Normans erased much of the Byzantine presence, of which only a small part remains, brought to light by the most recent restorations.

The later phases are partly debated: according to the restorers the keep, the most conspicuous part, would date back to the Angevins, but this hypothesis is not shared by everyone. The almost definitive layout of the complex is attributed to Andrea Carafa and his nephews, hence the name “Castello Carafa”. The Ruffo family did not intervene, because they never lived there, while the Sculco and Grutther families made important changes; the latter, once the defensive function had lapsed, turned the keep into a noble residence, decorated by Francesco Jordano.

The complex covers more than 10,000 square metres and is considered one of the best-preserved fortifications in southern Italy; it was restored between 1991 and 1998. Today it houses the Museo archeologico, the Centro di documentazione e studi sui castelli e le fortificazioni calabresi (documentation and study centre on the castles and fortifications of Calabria), the Museo delle armi e delle armature, the Museo degli abiti d’epoca and the Museo di arte contemporanea di Santa Severina (MACSS).

Highlights

• Large fortified enclosure of more than 10,000 square metres at the highest point of the village
• Keep with restored rooms and decorations by Francesco Jordano
• Archaeological museum housed in the castle
• Museo delle armi e delle armature (arms and armour) and Museo degli abiti d’epoca (period costume)
• Museo di arte contemporanea di Santa Severina (MACSS)

Operated by

Comune di Santa Severina

Visitors per year

approx. 30,000

Admission & discounts

Admission is also free for journalists and scholars authorised in advance by the Comune di Santa Severina. For the Museo archeologico, combined tickets, groups and schools, the website gives no prices.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The castle is in Piazza Campo, in the highest part of the village. The cooperative’s website mentions a shuttle service (Cardelli Viaggi, tel. 0962 51733 or 329 167 1142).

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit