Castello di Monselice

About the museum

At the foot of the Colle della Rocca stands an architectural complex known as Castello Cini, which between the 11th and 16th centuries was a noble residence, a defensive tower and finally a Venetian villa. The oldest nucleus consists of the Casa Romanica (11th century) and the Castelletto (12th century). In the 13th century the detached Torre Ezzeliniana was built, commissioned by Ezzelino III da Romano, with monumental tower chimneys made by the Da Carrara family in the 14th century.

After the advent of the Republic of Venice, from 1405, the complex was bought by the Venetian Marcello family, who built the Ca' Marcello as a connecting palace, turned the tower into a summer residence, and added the Library (16th century), the Cortile Veneziano (Venetian Courtyard, 17th century) and an 18th-century family chapel. With the fall of the Serenissima the complex declined. During the First World War it was used by the army, which left it looted in 1919.

In 1935 it passed by inheritance to Count Vittorio Cini, who gathered furniture, paintings, carpets, tapestries, ceramics, musical instruments and weapons to recreate the medieval and Renaissance atmosphere still visible today. Since 1981 the complex has belonged to the Veneto Region and, together with the Antiquarium Longobardo and the Mastio Federiciano (Frederician Keep), constitutes a regional museum. Since 2017 it has been entrusted to the company Immobiliare Marco Polo, whose sole shareholder is the Veneto Region.

Highlights

• Armoury with 904 pieces, including armour, swords, crossbows and firearms from the 14th to the 18th century
• Torre Ezzeliniana with the Salone d'Onore and the Carrara-style chimney
• Furnished rooms with furniture and fittings from the 15th to 17th centuries, collected by Vittorio Cini
• Cortile Veneziano with the Marcello family chapel
• Antiquarium Longobardo in the castle's library

Permanent exhibitions

• Sale residenziali e Armeria del Castello – The route passes through the Castelletto, Casa Romanica, Torre Ezzeliniana and Ca' Marcello, with furnishings from the 15th to 17th centuries and, on the ground floor of the tower, the armoury of 904 pieces.
• Armeria – Three rooms with tournament and war armour, helmets, mail shirts, swords, polearms, crossbows, and Italian, Spanish, German and French firearms from the 14th to the 18th century.

Operated by

Immobiliare Marco Polo S.r.l. (Regione del Veneto)

Visitors per year

approx. 3,916

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for teachers accompanying school groups. 50% discount with the ticket to Villa Contarini at Piazzola sul Brenta (within one month, and vice versa); reduced ticket of €7 with the full ticket to the Giardino Monumentale di Valsanzibio or Villa Selvatico; 30% reduction for members of the Touring Club Italiano, FAI, Arte Terme Card, Selvazzano Card and members of the Pro Loco Unpli. Outside opening hours, for groups of fewer than 15 people, the guide costs €90 + VAT per hour.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Getting there & parking

A13 Padua–Bologna motorway, Monselice exit; from Padua or Rovigo also the SS 16 state road. Follow the signs for the “Cava della Rocca” car park.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop at the complex (10% discount for members of Pro Loco Unpli).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Spaces available for events, conferences, weddings, film and photo shoots. The Aldo Businaro room in the library hosts conferences and cultural events.

Plan your visit