A defensive complex of Lombard origin built on the ancient acropolis, rebuilt by the Normans and transformed into a noble residence in the 15th century.

Inside, a small archaeological museum, but cutting-edge in terms of the characteristics of its layout and the provision of technological supports aimed at promoting its best use by the most diverse categories of visitors. Above all, a national museum both for the value of the finds and for the importance of the territory whose ancient history it wants to represent and tell, from the city of Suessa, one of the centres of the Auruncan pentapolis, to the important Roman colony near via Appia and Via Latina.

The first to be exhibited in a room of the ducal castle of Sessa Aurunca were the finds recovered from the great Roman theatre, one of the main ones in ancient Campania. Then, the complete destination as a museum, with evidence attributable to a vast territory, including, beyond the Volturno, lower Lazio up to the Circeo promontory and, inland, Aquino.

The first three rooms are dedicated entirely to the pre-Roman period, when that was the land of the Ausoni and Aurunci (who some consider a single population), between the 9th and 8th centuries BC, in the midst of the Iron Age, until the Roman conquest of 313 BC Considering the great importance of the sacred dimension among the most ancient populations, the installation focuses on the sanctuaries and the numerous fenced sacred areas, located outside the cities, on hills and along the rivers, in total integration with nature. Various finds come from the sanctuary consecrated to the goddess Marica at the mouth of the Garigliano.

The section concerning the Roman age includes three thematic itineraries. The first concerns the extra-urban territory, where the rustic villas and structures for the production of Falerno wine were located, which gave its name to the entire ager falernus, as well as burial areas.  The second route describes the urban space of Roman Suessa on which the medieval centre was built and expanded. The third is dedicated to the great theatre, one of the major buildings of ancient Campania, and presents an exhibition that reproduces the location of the finds in the theatre. And in the foreground there is the statue of Matidia minor, placed in the centre of the scene. The Venus of Sinuessa has arrived from the Mann of Naples, returning to the place from which it was brought to light.

The museum has interactive installations and tactile stations, which allow visits by the blind. Each exhibited object is equipped with a QR code to activate the audio guide. There are interactive stations for in-depth study and 3D visualization techniques with a reconstruction of the theatre and the possibility of viewing and learning about the Kore or Aphrodite of Sessa, attributed to an Etruscan artist from Capua, which is included in the British Museum.

Useful information: The National Archaeological Museum of Sessa Aurunca is open on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 9.00 to 12.30, on Tuesday and Friday from 15.00 to 18.30. Closed on Monday. Full price 5 euros, reduced price 2 euros.