Pio Castle
Theme ART AND CULTURE
Carpi. Palazzo Pio arco, ph. Pedro Grifol.JPG
Palazzo dei Pio Interno Soffici.jpg
Carpi, Castello dei Pio, ph. Diana Liotti.jpg

Pio Castle

Palazzo dei Pio, commonly called the Castle, is a highly articulated, monumental complex made up of towers, turrets, courtyards and buildings constructed between the XIV and XVII centuries. It was the home of the local Pio lords.

Today it is home of the following:

  • City library
  • City archives
  • City museums: Museo di Palazzo (Museum of the Palace), Museo della Città (Municipal Museum), Museo Monumento al Deportato politico e razziale (Museum-monument to political, racial deportees).

The façade on the eastern side of the Piazza has some characteristic architectural features such as the low-set, round Torre dell'Uccelleria turret, the Spanish Tower, the Passerino Tower (the most ancient part of the building, dates back to about 1320). The main entrance is on the main square, there are two other entrances on Piazzale Re Astolfo. The inside of the building is richly decorated with frescos. The halls of the City Museums present paintings, scagliola sculptures and other historic artefacts of the city.

Opening hours

The museums open on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 10.00 am - 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm - 7.00 pm.

Tickets and admission

Admission to the museum and exhibitions is possible with CARPICARD or by purchasing the single ticket at a cost of:

Full price: 5,00 €

Free entry:

  • the first Sunday of each month;
  • citizens of the European Union under the age of 18, university students and students enrolled in the Engineering Degree Course activated in Carpi by Unimore (showing university card);
  • YoungERcard holders;
  • people with disabilities and frailty;
  • organized groups of students from Italian state and non-state schools and from other states belonging to the European Union;
  • tourist guides and interpreters (showing a valid license, issued by the competent authority);
  • personnel of the Ministry of Culture;
  • representatives of the press (show the order registration card, issued by the competent authority).

Getting there

By car: from the Modena Nord exit off the highway take the Modena-Brenner connection and exit at Carpi; or, from the city of Modena, take the Modena beltway toward Carpi and then the State Road S.S. 413 Romana, called the National Road to Carpi.
By train: from the Modena Railway station, take Modena/Mantua line and stop at Carpi station; or busses to Carpi.