A journey through time: The Civic Museums of Padua and their precious collections

The Civic Museums of Padua, housed in the former convent of the Eremitani friars, are a true treasure chest of history, art, and culture, offering visitors a fascinating journey through the centuries — from antiquity to the modern era. This museum complex, one of the oldest and most significant in the Veneto region, includes the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Medieval and Modern Art, and the world-renowned Scrovegni Chapel, Giotto’s masterpiece.

The Archaeological Museum: Ancient Roots and Hidden Treasures

The exhibition route of the Archaeological Museum leads visitors through rooms that narrate the story of Padua’s territory and the civilizations that once inhabited it. The collection, rich in artifacts from excavations and donations, spans a vast chronological arc.

Among the highlights are relics of the Paleovenetian civilization, including stelae and grave goods from local necropolises that provide insight into the life and rituals of these ancient peoples. The Roman section takes center stage, featuring architectural fragments, inscriptions, sculptures, and everyday objects that illustrate the Romanization of the region and life in ancient Patavium.

The Lapidary Collection is particularly noteworthy, with numerous elements from both public and private buildings that shed light on the urban and social fabric of the time. The museum also houses sections devoted to Etruscan, Greek, and Magna Graecia art, showcasing ceramics, bronzes, and other artifacts that testify to the cultural and commercial exchanges across the ancient Mediterranean.

The Egyptian Section

A special highlight within the Archaeological Museum is its Egyptian collection, a true gem in Padua’s cultural landscape. Though not as extensive as those in larger national museums, it boasts around 180 artifacts of great historical and artistic value. Most of the materials entered the museum in the 19th century, thanks to private donations and notable figures such as Giovanni Battista Belzoni, the Paduan explorer and archaeologist who contributed two statues of the goddess Sekhmet — now among the most iconic pieces in the collection.

This section explores different aspects of ancient Egyptian civilization, from religious and funerary practices to daily life. Visitors can admire amulets, ushabti figurines, canopic jars, fragments of sarcophagi, and other objects related to the cult of the dead, offering a glimpse into the Egyptians’ complex spiritual beliefs and their view of the afterlife.

The Museum of Medieval and Modern Art: From the Middle Ages to the 19th Century

Complementing the archaeological collections, the Museum of Medieval and Modern Art presents an impressive art gallery spanning from the 14th to the 19th centuries. Visitors can admire works by some of the most illustrious names in Italian art history, including Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese, reflecting the vibrant creativity of the Venetian school.

The museum’s holdings feature religious paintings, portraits, landscapes, and genre scenes that trace the evolution of artistic styles and techniques over the centuries. In addition, the Bottacin Museum, with its vast numismatic collection of over 20,000 items, provides valuable insights into economic and monetary history from pre-Roman times to the modern age.

Altogether, the Civic Museums of Padua — with their vastness, diversity, and depth — represent an essential destination for anyone wishing to explore the history and art of Padua and its surrounding territory.

Address: Piazza Eremitani, 8, Padua (PD), Italy

Opening Hours:

Hours may vary by season and section; visitors are advised to check the official website for the latest information.

• Civic Museums (Archaeological Museum & Museum of Medieval and Modern Art) and Scrovegni Chapel:
  • Tuesday–Sunday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (last entry to the Chapel at 6:30 PM)
  • Monday: 12:00 PM – 7:30 PM (Chapel and Museums only; Palazzo Zuckermann closed)
• Palazzo Zuckermann:
  • Tuesday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (may close at 6:00 PM in winter)

Tickets:

Prices may vary and often include access to multiple parts of the complex. Advance booking is mandatory for the Scrovegni Chapel.

• Combined ticket (Civic Museums + Scrovegni Chapel + Palazzo Zuckermann):
  • Full: €15.00 (+ €1.00 online presale fee)
  • Reduced: €11.00 (groups of 10+, EU citizens over 65, partner associations)
  • Special reduced: €7.00 (Padua residents, municipal employees)
  • School/student ticket: €6.00 (ages 6–17, university students, teachers)
  • Free: under 5, disabled visitors + companions, ICOM members
• Civic Museums only:
  • Full: €11.00
  • Reduced: €9.00
• Evening ticket (Scrovegni Chapel only, 7:00–10:00 PM):
  • Full: €9.00 (+ €1.00 online presale fee)

Advance booking is strongly recommended for the Scrovegni Chapel, especially during peak tourist seasons, as entry is limited.

Useful Links:

• Official website: https://padovamusei.it/it
• Scrovegni Chapel (booking): https://cappelladegliscrovegni.padovamusei.it/it

Photo credit: “Courtyard of the Cloister with Sculpture Garden” by joergens.mi, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0