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Museums #15 in Padua

Eremitani Museums

4.5 · 2,323 reviews
Quiet and scholarly.
Eremitani Museums, Piazza Eremitani, 8, 35121 Padova PD, Italy
Interesting facts
1

The collection contains the original frescoes by Guariento di Arpo that were detached from the choir of the neighboring Eremitani Church.

2

The archaeological section holds one of the largest collections of Venetic inscriptions in the world.

3

The museum is housed in the medieval monastery buildings of the Order of St. Augustine.

4

The Pinacoteca contains works by artists who significantly influenced the development of the Paduan Renaissance.

5

Significant damage to the museum’s fresco collection occurred during a 1944 Allied bombing raid.

Overview

The Eremitani Museums, located within the former monastery complex of the Eremitani church, house the main archaeological and art collections of the city of Padua. The archaeological wing spans from the pre-Roman Venetian period to the Roman era, featuring a significant collection of funerary stelae. The Pinacoteca section showcases artworks from the 14th to the 18th century, including notable pieces by Giotto, Guariento, and Titian. The complex is specifically famous for hosting the Sala di Guariento, which contains the reassembled frescoes salvaged from the Eremitani church after the 1944 bombing. It functions as the civic museum of the city and serves as a primary repository for local history. Visitors access the museum through a historic cloister garden that provides a visual link to the adjacent Church of the Eremitani. The museum layout integrates historical architecture with modern exhibition design to display its vast collection of medals, seals, and paintings.

Photo spot

The central cloister garden which features the original architectural remnants and a tranquil, green environment.

Insider tips

Prioritize the Sala di Guariento first as it is the highlight of the collection.

Check if your entry ticket includes access to the adjacent Scrovegni Chapel, as they are part of the same administrative complex.

Bring a light sweater, as the climate-controlled rooms can feel cool even during summer.

What to avoid

Do not mistake the museum for the church next door; they are separate buildings with different access points.

Good to know

Closed on Mondays.

Etiquette

Maintain a quiet tone; photography without flash is permitted.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
2-3 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings to avoid large crowds touring the nearby Scrovegni Chapel.
Address
Eremitani Museums, Piazza Eremitani, 8, 35121 Padova PD, Italy
45.411, 11.880
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsGuariento frescoes, Roman-era funerary stelae, and works by Titian and Giotto.

Frequently asked

Plan for about 2-3 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings to avoid large crowds touring the nearby Scrovegni Chapel..

The central cloister garden which features the original architectural remnants and a tranquil, green environment.

Close by you'll find The Basilica of St. Anthony, Prato della Valle, Scrovegni Chapel.