Castello Aragonese e Museo Archeologico Castro
Castello Aragonese e Museo Archeologico Castro
Castello Aragonese e Museo Archeologico Castro
4.5
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
About
The MAR of Castro narrates a series of events taking place during various millenniums beginning from the most ancient Prehistory. The noble rooms of the Castle display today precious findings but in the following years the ongoing excavations will unearth more evidence from the Castro area. Thus, the Museum with its dynamic character can be considered an evolving Construction site ready to receive new artefacts that may help to complete fragmentary works. For example, the decorations in “Lecce stone” (a particular kind of limestone) represent the most ancient example of baroque style known today in ancient art. The MAR will function as the lungs of this territory: transferring to visitors with every breath the appeal and beauty of its Culture and its unique
Duration: < 1 hour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
336 reviews
Excellent
189
Very good
113
Average
27
Poor
4
Terrible
4
maryO2320BI
Greater Perth, Australia25 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
A well preserved castle and interesting museum with an engaged and very informative curator. It's quite a hike uphill well marked steps and alleyways but well worth the effort.
Hoping they find Athena's head soon!
Hoping they find Athena's head soon!
Written September 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
puf324
Lecce, Italy24 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
In this very well kept little museum on a great spot, you can meet the history of the greek colonies in western Puglia, the myth of the Troyan war and de greatest literature ever written: Vergilius.
Written March 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maltese632017
Norwich, UK1,049 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
It is set in a beautiful location towering above the bay on top of a giant cliff top surrounded by the ancient town of Castro which is perched around it. The view from the battlements is spectacular in every direction. The museum is small but fascinating roaming its way back through the sites incredible and ancient history. Occupied since stone age times it has artefacts which date back thousands and thousands of years, unearthed from the site.
The current Aragonese castle dates back to the 12th - 13th century and was built on the remains of the Byzantine fortress. In 1480 , following the looting of Otranto, the city was invaded by the Turks and the castle was semi-destroyed. It was rebuilt by the feudal Lords, the noble family of Gattinara and subsequently the Spanish viceroy of Naples Don Pedro de Toledo further strengthened its fortifications. The sight is supported by archeological evidence taken from the Greek, Roman, Norman, Ottoman and Aragonese periods!
Very friendly staff who are very keen to tell you the history of this magnificent landmark!
The current Aragonese castle dates back to the 12th - 13th century and was built on the remains of the Byzantine fortress. In 1480 , following the looting of Otranto, the city was invaded by the Turks and the castle was semi-destroyed. It was rebuilt by the feudal Lords, the noble family of Gattinara and subsequently the Spanish viceroy of Naples Don Pedro de Toledo further strengthened its fortifications. The sight is supported by archeological evidence taken from the Greek, Roman, Norman, Ottoman and Aragonese periods!
Very friendly staff who are very keen to tell you the history of this magnificent landmark!
Written March 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aussies11
Montelparo, Italy4,479 contributions
Dec 2017 • Friends
We joined a guided tour here which included commentary, a video, then walking through the Castello, the archeological displays and the rooftop. As the last discovery (torso of the goddess Athena) was made in 2015, it was very interesting to hear the lead up to the discovery and then to see the torso displayed in the museum. The guide Maria was very knowledgeable and patient with other visitors coming through while she was talking.
The Museum is small and the castle has had numerous conquerors who have of course modified and changed some of the interiors and exteriors. The panorama from the rooftop was fantastic, and the scale of the castle's domination can truly be appreciated from that vantage point.
The Museum is small and the castle has had numerous conquerors who have of course modified and changed some of the interiors and exteriors. The panorama from the rooftop was fantastic, and the scale of the castle's domination can truly be appreciated from that vantage point.
Written December 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DavidRJohnston
Banbury, UK103 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
...will be famous to any familiar with Purcell or Homer's Iliad. This is where myth meets history. Really. 6th - 3rd century bc, Troy, etc. Written up in 1st century Bc, but the unearthing of a Persian dressed Athena here is profound. No tilted back Hoplite helmet (yet), but warrior goddess nonetheless. Aeneas landed here after Troy and before Dido, and the archaeological link between Homers myth and real history is profound in the nature of the hilltop temple set out here.
We found this place shut to all but the persistent. Guarded almost. Good historical presentations and a fantastic guide who opened more and more gems as we showed more understanding and interest. The small bronze after the impressive Leccese stone torso speaks volumes. Sure there's good Neolithic, Bronze age, etc too, but when you can hear the Iliad oars creak, why look further. The whole site is a secret gem, for now. The Spartans were here. And it shows.
The sacred site is special as the Athenian temple was overwritten by the Minervan, then Byzantine (remnants still visible) and now a warm working catholic church. This has none of the taint of Otranto's sacrifice remaining. Rarely do you find such continuity and warmth still in place so genuinely ancient. Two and a half thousand years, 'ancient'.
Yes. Off the beaten track; yes, worth it. Yes, the local ice cream is superb. But any student of the original Homer, has to see this. Doh!
The coast from Leuca to Otranto and especially Castelo is fantastic. Maybe a poor man's Amalfi, but worth it nonetheless. Cycle or hire a car for that alone.
We found this place shut to all but the persistent. Guarded almost. Good historical presentations and a fantastic guide who opened more and more gems as we showed more understanding and interest. The small bronze after the impressive Leccese stone torso speaks volumes. Sure there's good Neolithic, Bronze age, etc too, but when you can hear the Iliad oars creak, why look further. The whole site is a secret gem, for now. The Spartans were here. And it shows.
The sacred site is special as the Athenian temple was overwritten by the Minervan, then Byzantine (remnants still visible) and now a warm working catholic church. This has none of the taint of Otranto's sacrifice remaining. Rarely do you find such continuity and warmth still in place so genuinely ancient. Two and a half thousand years, 'ancient'.
Yes. Off the beaten track; yes, worth it. Yes, the local ice cream is superb. But any student of the original Homer, has to see this. Doh!
The coast from Leuca to Otranto and especially Castelo is fantastic. Maybe a poor man's Amalfi, but worth it nonetheless. Cycle or hire a car for that alone.
Written September 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy F
Potomac, MD152 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
They claim Aeneas visited here, and the archaeological presentation here is pretty great for a small town. A nice presentation of their recent Athena find. Worth a stop!
Written June 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Nancy,
thank you so much for your review.
Have you a nice day .
Written June 8, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Helen Coker
Sardinia, Italy4 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
An interesting morning spent in beautiful Castro. Our museum guide,Maria, was extremely helpful in giving us all the information about the history.
Written November 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shuki Y
3 contributions
Aug 2019 • Solo
Examplary local museum of local very unique and important finds of the Troyan heritage of Castro. Proffessional guided lnstructor. Remarkable.
Written August 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irimie F
Budapest, Hungary109 contributions
Sep 2017 • Family
Maybe because works on field or other reasons but most of the castle parts was closed when I visited. Halls were almost empty only paintings (modern arts exhibition) and few old pictures.
I did visit many castles in the world but this one is very poor arranged.
However is very well maintained.
I did visit many castles in the world but this one is very poor arranged.
However is very well maintained.
Written September 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SimplyFred
Shrewsbury, UK967 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
The walls and the scale of this castle can only be experienced forwalking across the roof. The views are also fabulous.
Written September 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Salve. Aderite alle aperture gratuite nella prima domenica del mese?
Grazie.
Written August 30, 2019
Per raggiungere il castello è possibile farlo con il pullman o si deve raggiungerlo a piedi?
Io vorrei visitarlo il 30 aprile /1maggio quali sono gli orari?
Grazie Beatrice
Written February 24, 2017
Guardi i pullman non possono entrare nel paese ma il punto in cui vi possono lasciare dista all'incirca 300mt, non ci sono ostacoli perciò è tranquillamente percorribile a piedi. Si possono prenotare visite guidate anche dell'intero centro storico.
In questo periodo dell'anno gli orari di visita del castello/museo archeologico dovrebbero essere dalle 9.30 alle 13.00 e dalle 15.00 alle 20.00 . (Non ricordo con precisione gli orari) 😊
Written February 28, 2017
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