Museo Nazionale d’Abruzzo returns to Castello Cinquecentesco after 16 years
After being displaced for 16 years following the earthquake in 2009, the Museo Nazionale d’Abruzzo (MuNDA) will reopen on December 20, 2025, at Castello Cinquecentesco (Forte Spagnolo). Originally established on September 23, 1951, the museum was constructed between 1534 and 1567 by Pyrro Luis Escrivá. Following the earthquake, it moved to Borgo Rivera on December 19, 2015. The reopening will showcase the southeast wing, featuring 14 rooms with approximately 100 artworks dating from the 9th to the 16th centuries. The sections covering archaeology and post-16th-century artifacts will remain at Borgo Rivera, with a full reopening anticipated by 2027. Open daily except Mondays from 9am to 7pm, tickets are priced at €10, with notable exhibitions planned for 2026.
Key facts
- MuNDA reopens at Castello Cinquecentesco on December 20, 2025
- Castle built 1534-1567 by Pyrro Luis Escrivá for Charles V
- 2009 earthquake caused 309 deaths and forced museum relocation
- 40 million euros invested in southeast wing restoration
- 14 rooms display about 100 works from 9th-16th centuries
- Director Federica Zalabra curated new accessible layout
- Full reopening expected by 2027
- Borgo Rivera site becomes regional security deposit
Entities
Artists
- Pyrro Luis Escrivá
- Saturnino Gatti
- Francesco da Montereale
- Pietro di Stefano
- Federica Zalabra
- Antonio Di Stefano
Institutions
- Museo Nazionale d’Abruzzo (MuNDA)
- Castello Cinquecentesco (Forte Spagnolo)
- Museo Civico Aquilano
- Museo Diocesano d’Arte Sacra
- Soprintendenza dell’Aquila
- Studio Guicciardini & Magni
- ICR (Istituto Centrale per il Restauro)
- Sac Spa
- Silvana editoriale
- Comune dell’Aquila
- Artribune
Locations
- L’Aquila
- Italy
- Abruzzo
- Castello Cinquecentesco
- Forte Spagnolo
- Borgo Rivera
- Madonna della Strada di Scoppito
- Campovalano
- Campo di Giove
- Basilica di Collemaggio