Castello Murat
Aragonese fortress on the cliffs above the sea at Pizzo, where Gioacchino Murat was imprisoned and executed by firing squad in 1815; it houses the Museo Murattiano.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The castle of Pizzo was built in the second half of the 15th century on the orders of Ferdinand I of Aragon, to defend the Kingdom. The square-plan keep, by contrast, dates from the Angevin period and is dated to 1380.
The castle is above all associated with Gioacchino Murat. In October 1815 the former King of Naples landed at Pizzo, was overpowered and locked up in the castle, where he was sentenced to death and shot. Tradition also attributes to him a phrase he supposedly spoke before the firing squad. Today the site houses the Museo Murattiano, which preserves the memory of these events, and every year a local association stages a historical re-enactment of them.
Since August 2024 the municipality of Pizzo has directly managed the castle and the church of Piedigrotta; in November of the same year the Musei Civici di Pizzo system was established, which also includes the Palazzo della Cultura and the Museo della Tonnara.
Highlights
- 15th-century Aragonese fortress overlooking the sea
- Square keep from the Angevin period (1380)
- Cell where Gioacchino Murat was held prisoner in 1815
- Museo Murattiano
- Annual historical re-enactment of Murat's arrest and execution
- Operated by
- Comune di Pizzo
- Visitors per year
- approx. 40,000
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.50Groups of more than 15 people, school groups and visitors over 65 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 5 · Free admission for children under 6. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities holding a card, and for their companions. |
| Groups (16+ people) | €3.50 per personReduced rate for groups of more than 15 people; schools pay the reduced rate. Group payment can be made by bank transfer to the municipal treasury, stating the date, the group name and the number of participants. |
| Families | €10Parents with children aged 7 to 14, for one site only; €14 with the combined ticket. |
| Combined ticket Castle + Church of Piedigrotta (valid 72 hours) | €8Reduced €6.50 |
| Holders of the “Passaporto del viaggiatore” (Cammino Kalabria Coast to Coast) | €3 |
| Licensed tourist guide (per site, groups of at least 10 people) | €1Per person |
Free admission also for residents of Pizzo, holders of FAI and ICOM cards, and one teacher per 10 students. Payment by card is preferred.
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 museum hasn’t published any information on this.
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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Groups must book in advance. With a licensed tourist guide, a supplement of €1 per person applies for each site (groups of at least 10 people). |
