Pélagos (πέλαγος) is a Greek term that refers to the sea in the sense of a vast expanse of water (“open sea” or “deep sea”). The name thus evokes the majesty and immensity of the sea, which is the core of the Memoriae Maris project and the central element of the experience offered by the Museum. Pélagos and Memoriae Maris invite visitors to dive into the underwater depths and discover the priceless treasure of history, biodiversity, and traditions that characterize the “Capo Rizzuto” Marine Protected Area.

The museum is an interactive and multifunctional space designed to promote sustainable tourism and disseminate knowledge about the archaeological, geological, and biological specificities of the “Capo Rizzuto” MPA and the Special Conservation Areas (SCAs).

The building was designed in accordance with energy and landscape sustainability criteria. Following a regeneration project initiated through the collaboration between the Municipality of Isola di Capo Rizzuto and the Province of Crotone, which manages the “Capo Rizzuto” MPA, the structure was built on a site that had fallen into disrepair after the decommissioning of the former wastewater treatment plant in the Le Castella district.

The museum’s location near the marina makes it an attraction and an important hub for tourist activities, especially for those arriving in Le Castella by sea.