We headed over to our next destination, the Musei Civici degli Eremitani, which is located on the side of the Giardini dell’Arena.  The Giardini is a park area that houses the remains of the ancient Roman arena, the Musei Civici, as well as one of the the city’s main tourist attraction, the Cappella degli Scrovegni.  One ticket allows access to both, the Museo Civici and the Cappella, but admission to the Cappella  is by timed ticket only, and when buying your ticket, you must select a time for your visit.  Admission is limited to a small number of people, as the space is not that large, and it is a very popular attraction.  The only time we could get in was the following morning, which was fine, except for the fact that the museum was closed that day, as it was a national holiday, and so we were allowed to visit the museum the day before visiting the Cappella.  Ordinarily, this would not have been possible, but since they sold us the ticket, they honored it by allowing us to visit the museum early.  At the entrance to the Giardini dell’Arena, you will find the the Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, by Ambrogio Borghi, which dates from 1866.  The monument originally stood in Piazza Garibaldi, but was later moved to its present position.

The Musei Eremitani is the oldest museum complex in the entire Veneto region.  It is housed in the former convent of the Eremitani friars, hence its name.  Inside, one will discover treasures by artists such as Giotto, Veronese, Tiepolo, Tintoretto, as well as special exhibits that change on a regular basis.  While we were visiting, there was an exhibit on the films of Federico Fellini, with some of his sketches, bordering on being pornographic, costumes from his films, as well as photos, and posters.

I loved seeing the model of the ship used in Fellini’s film, “And the Ship Sails On.”

This is a museum one should not miss, when in Padua.  The archaeological section alone is worth a visit, lasting at least an hour or so.

The Crocifisso di Padova, or the Padua Crucifix, dates from 1303, and is considered to be one of Giotto’s masterpieces.

The walls you see, along the perimeter of the Giardini dell’Arena, are all that remain of the Ancient Roman Theatre, which stood here in 70 AD.

 

Next up: We visit Palazzo della Ragione!

 

Note: This blog is written in English and Spanish, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any other translations that may appear.  If you have enjoyed this post, please, check out our archives for more posts from Padua, as well as other Italian destinations.  Grazie!