Archaeology and architecture intertwine at the Castle of Gioia del Colle
This Frederician manor contains some of the most curious finds from the Archaeological Park of Monte Sannace. A collection full of surprises, presented in a captivating way by a clear didactic support.
Notices(3)
- Opening Sundays
From 1 January to 31 March and from 1 October to 31 December 2025, the museum is open only on the first Sundays of the month, from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm (ticket office closes at 6:30 pm).
- Free admission
The first Sunday of each month access to all institutes and places of culture is free, including, in the absence of a separate exhibition itinerary or of a separate ticket, the spaces in which exhibitions or temporary exhibitions are held. Admission will also be free on the following days: 25th April; 2nd June; 4th November.
- Respect of the chosen entry time
We remind visitors that it is mandatory to show up at the site’s entrance exactly at the time chosen during the purchase.
Services(3)
- Disabled access
- Info Point
- Pets allowed
Reductions(6)
For REDUCED and FREE tickets, proof of the right to use these tickets will have to be shown. Where the visitor fails to produce such documentation at the ticket office, a FULL-PRICE ticket will have to be purchased.
Free
13types- •European Union tourist guides in the exercise of their professional activity, presenting a valid licence issued by the competent authority
- •Tour interpreters from the European Union working alongside the guide, upon presentation of a valid licence issued by the competent authority
- •To the staff of the Ministry of Culture
- •Members of I.C.O.M. (International Council of Museums)
- •Visitors under the age of eighteen. Under-twelves must be accompanied by an adult
- •To public and private school groups of the European Union alongside their teachers, subjected to booking and in the quota established by the head of the institution or cultural site.
- •Lecturers and students on degree courses, specialist degree courses or post-graduate specialisation and PhD courses in the following faculties: architecture, conservation of cultural heritage, education sciences or literature and philosophy with an archaeological or historical-artistic focus. The same benefits are due to teachers and students of corresponding universities or courses, present in the European Union States.
- •Teachers and students enrolled in Fine Arts Academies or corresponding institutes of the European Union, by showing their enrolment certificate for the current academic year
- •Teaching staff -permanent school or with a fixed-term contract- of the Italian school, upon presentation of a suitable certificate issued by the educational institutions. The certificate is annual and valid for the academic year in progress.
- •Disabled persons and one family member or companion who can show their membership to health and care services.
- •To the operators of voluntary associations who carry out, on the basis of existing agreements with the Ministry, activities to promote knowledge of cultural heritage.
- •Italian and foreign scholars for study or research purposes certified by Italian or foreign school or university institutions, academies, research and culture institutes as well as by the Ministry, for particular and justified needs, the Directors can allow individual subjects who request it free admission for specific periods.
- •Free entry to state cultural sites is permitted to teachers and students of AFAM (Higher Education in Art and Music) schools, upon presentation of the appropriate forms.
Reduced
2types- •EU citizens aged between 18 and 25 (the age limit is considered exceeded from the day following the completion of the 25th year of age).
- •To citizens of countries outside the European Union, on condition of reciprocity.
Cumulative Full Price
1Type- •Allows FULL PRICE entrance to Gioia del Colle Archaeological Museum and Castle and to Monte Sannace Archaeological Park
Cumulative Reduced
1Type- •Allows REDUCED entrace at Gioia del Colle Archaeological National Museum and Castle and Monte Sannace Archaeological Park.
Puglia Museums Card
1Type- •The subscription is NAME-SPECIFIC. It allows unlimited admissions for 6 months in all the museums of the Regional Directorate of Museums of Puglia. The Taranto National Archaeological Museum (MArTA) is NOT included.
Museo Card
1Type- •The subscription is NAME-SPECIFIC. It allows unlimited entry for 6 months in ONE of the museums of the Regional Directorate of Museums of Puglia. Taranto National Archaeological Museum (MArTA) is NOT included.
Description
The Norman-Swabian Castle
Part of the Frederician network of castles, that of Gioia del Colle is one of the best-preserved fortresses in Apulia. Its strategic position between the Adriatic and Ionian-Tarantine areas made it perfect both as a defensive stronghold and as a junction for communication. The castle features an architectural syncretism of pre-Norman, Norman and Swabian layouts. While Frederick's work remains pre-eminent, there are appreciable additions from the Angevin and Aragonese periods, and important restoration work from the early 20th century.
A look at the contemporary
One of the rooms of the castle houses an animated painting that takes the visitor on a journey through images, from the eyes of Frederick II's favourite animal: the falcon. This is the multimedia installation"Frederick's Flight" created by Paolo Gep Cucco.
The National Archaeological Museum
Beginning in 1929, Monte Sannace was the subject of a series of archaeological excavation campaigns that brought to light the ancient Peucezian settlement (the Peucezi were an ancient population of central Apulia), surrounded by massive defensive walls. The great quantity and variety of artefacts required a place suitable for conservation and public enjoyment. Thus the National Archaeological Museum of Gioia del Colle saw the light in 1977, housed since its foundation in the rooms on the ground floor of the Swabian Castle.
A collection unique in its kind
The archaeological collection allows visitors to discover the history of the ancient peoples originating in the area by walking through the rooms of the Castle. The ground floor leads to the courtyard, the Oven Room and the dungeon, while the first floor leads to the Throne Room, the Triforium and the Fireplace Room, the de' Rossi Tower and the Empress Tower. The collection is spread over two floors and contains principally material from the Archaeological Park of Monte Sannace. The exhibits are in the main vases of domestic and funerary use, Corinthian, Attic and Apulian red-figure ceramics, jewellery, accessories and iron and bronze weapons. This astonishing collection underlines the fruitful relations between the indigenous peoples and the Greek world.
A collection full of surprises
However, there is no shortage of peculiarities! These include a curious tintinnabulum from the 4th century BC (a rattle in the shape of a boar with a shield-wielding warrior riding on its back), and a red-figure rythòn (drinking vessel) bearing the head of a stag. Of great importance are a Corinthian black-figure krater (mid-6th century BC), attributed to the 'Memnon Painter', which depicts a scene taken from mythology, with combat between the Hellenic hero Achilles and the Trojan warrior Memnon, and the complete bronze armour of a 4th century BC Greek warrior, consisting of helmet, cuirass and shafts, found in a tomb in Conversano, Bari.
Forecast
Tour(1)
Blog
Hidden artworks in Disney classics
Who said art and cartoons can't coexist?