Museo del Volo – Castello di San Pelagio

About the museum

The castle’s crenellated tower was built in the 14th century by the Da Carrara family, lords of Padua, to defend themselves against the Scaligeri of Verona. From 1544 the castle belonged to the Sant’Uliana family, and in 1752 it passed to the Counts Zaborra, who built the agricultural barchesse and remodelled the main wing as a stately residence. On 9 August 1918 Gabriele D’Annunzio’s air squadron took off from San Pelagio for the “Volo su Vienna” (Flight over Vienna), during which thousands of leaflets were dropped.

The memory of that exploit gave rise to the idea of turning the castle into a museum: restoration began in 1976, and the Museo del Volo opened to the public on 20 September 1980. Since then the Counts Zaborra family has once again lived in the castle. The museum has been re-arranged in recent years and occupies the rustic wing with thematic sections on the history of flight; since 2025 the main wing also houses the permanent exhibition “Volo&Arte” on the link between flight and art.

The route covers the beginnings of flight with Leonardo da Vinci, hot-air balloons, helicopters, women aviators, airships, flying boats, aircraft from 1903 and from 1940, a section on the Aviazione Nazionale Repubblicana (Italian Republican National Air Force), space vehicles and an interactive room on the physics of flight. In the entrance hall are aero engines from the first half of the 20th century, while the historic park and the outbuildings contain gliders, aircraft, helicopters and missiles of the last century.

Highlights

• One thousand 1:600-scale models of Second World War aircraft
• Collection of relics from the Aviazione Nazionale Repubblicana
• Flying boats, airships and space vehicles with historical relics
• Aero engines and historic aircraft in the park
• D’Annunzio rooms and the story of the flight over Vienna
• Interactive “Volare” room on the physics of flight

Permanent exhibition

• Museo del Volo e mostra «Volo&Arte» – Thematic sections on the history of flight in the rustic wing of the castle and, since 2025, a permanent exhibition on the link between flight and art in the main wing.

Founded

1980

Operated by

Castello di San Pelagio – famiglia Zaborra

Visitors per year

approx. 20,000

Admission & discounts

2026 prices, valid from 1 March to 30 November (full price from age 13). The ticket includes the D’Annunzio rooms with a 45-minute guided tour (guaranteed when purchased online), the Museo del Volo, the historic park with the mazes and the AmuseApp audio guide. 10% discount when buying online with a coupon; 20% discount on site for members of TCI, FAI, ASI, MondoParchi, ViviParchi, Coin Card, Unpli-Pro Loco, APCGold Card and Vita in Campagna–Carta Verde. Veneto Card holders are entitled to reduced admission. Tickets are non-refundable. Winter openings 2027: 20% discount online with a coupon.

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
• Audio description: no information

The castle is an ancient building with several architectural barriers that cannot always be overcome by people with disabilities. A printed guide in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is available on request. Only small dogs are admitted: on a lead in the park and in a special bag inside the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Interactive “Volare” room with six scientific and creative experiences; during the winter openings, a table for the young designer of flying machines. Activities for schools, groups and birthdays.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

During the winter openings a heated welcome area with a self-service bar is available.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The castle is available for hire as an event venue.

Plan your visit