Where the universal language of sound becomes heritage, memory, and rebirth.

A Sanctuary of Global Sounds Rooted in Local Identity

The Museum of the Musical Reggio Calabria, also known as MuStruMu, stands as a vibrant testament to humanity’s shared musical heartbeat. It is housed inside the historic Stazione Lido, a former railway station that once overlooked daily life along the Ionian coast. Today, however, this old transit point has become a crossroads of cultures, traditions, and stories shaped by sound. Founded in 1996 by Dr. Demetrio Spagna, the museum was created to celebrate music not only as art, but also as a living expression of identity.

Inside the museum, visitors discover a remarkable collection of nearly eight hundred instruments. They are carefully organized into five musical families: idiophones, membranophones, aerophones, chordophones, and electro-mechanical instruments. Each object tells a story. For example, ethnic percussions reveal distant traditions, while the drums of the Calabrian tarantella highlight the deep-rooted local heritage. Together, however, these instruments create a unique symphony of global cultures and show how sound connects communities across time.

The story of the Museum of the Musical Reggio Calabria is also marked by resilience. In 2013, a devastating arson destroyed its entire archive, including rare scores, ancient books, and many precious instruments. Nevertheless, the museum rose again thanks to the dedication of the community and generous donations from enthusiasts around the world. As a result, MuStruMu now stands stronger than before. Today, its multimedia hall further enriches the experience, allowing visitors to watch and listen to instruments played in their cultural settings as well as inside the museum itself. These recordings, often created with the help of local musicians and passionate visitors, make the visit even more engaging.