Museo del Castello di Santa Severa

About the museum

The Museum of the Castle occupies the 14th-century fortress of Santa Severa, built on the remains of an early medieval fort where the oldest church dedicated to the martyr Severa once stood. The complex is surrounded by a moat, has two rectangular towers and two cylindrical ones at its corners, and a cylindrical keep connected to the fortress by a wooden walkway.

The museum extends over three levels covering about 800 square metres and holds finds that emerged during the excavations carried out together with the restoration works, supervised by the heritage authority (Soprintendenza) with volunteers of the Gruppo archeologico del territorio Cerite. The route, with panels, large images, video projections, 3D reconstructions and augmented reality, tells the story of the castle from the Etruscan period to the present day.

The contents include a reconstruction of the medieval kitchen and dining hall with food remains and original objects, the seal of Pietro Romano Bonaventura, costumes reconstructed to illustrate the different periods, and the results of an anthropological study of the medieval cemetery carried out by the Università di Tor Vergata. The visit also includes the fortress chapel, the room with frescoes from the age of Pope Urban VIII, and the two cylindrical towers on the south side. The complex is run by the regional company LAZIOcrea.

Highlights

• Fourteenth-century fortress with moat, towers and keep
• Reconstruction of the medieval kitchen and dining hall
• Seal of Pietro Romano Bonaventura
• Anthropological study of the medieval cemetery
• 3D reconstructions and augmented reality
• Chapel and room with frescoes from the time of Pope Urban VIII

Founded

2017

Operated by

LAZIOcrea S.p.A. (Regione Lazio)

Admission & discounts

The ticket for the Museum of the Castle covers Piazza della Rocca, the early Christian church, the Sala del Nostromo, the Sala Pyrgi and the Museum of the Castle itself; it does not include the Baptistery (included in the LAZIOcrea guided tours) or the Torre Saracena. The ticket is valid for a single entry during the day. Free admission to the outer walls, courtyards, squares and esplanade, and to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta on Sundays. The first Sunday of the month is not free. Also free for residents of Santa Marinella, ICOM members, journalists and tourist guides. Visitors with a museum ticket have 3 hours of free parking (the parking slip must be cancelled at the ticket office).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

As this is a 14th-century complex, some parts are not accessible, but most activities and attractions can be enjoyed. People with disabilities and their companion enter free of charge.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Family package with free admission for minors up to 18 accompanied by an adult with a full ticket; workshops for schools.

Getting there & parking

By car along the SS1 Aurelia to kilometre marker 52.5, then follow the signs for the sea and take Via del Castello.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The complex has a bookshop (opening hours as the ticket office) and a refreshment service; during events, refreshment areas with sea views are set up.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The castle hosts private events, special occasions, corporate events and film sets.

Plan your visit