Museo Antoniano

About the museum

The Museo Antoniano was founded at the end of the 19th century as a collection of historical and artistic objects linked to the life and cult of Saint Anthony. It was closed in 1940 and reopened in its present layout in 1995, on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the saint's birth.

The rooms hold the treasures made over the centuries for the Basilica and for the Veneranda Arca di Sant'Antonio: paintings, sculptures, plaster casts, sacred vestments, tapestries and goldsmith's work. Among the masterpieces are the lunette frescoed by Mantegna for the portal of the Basilica, the 15th-century wooden marquetry, the Navicella, a 16th-century piece of German goldsmith's work, altarpieces by Tiepolo, Carpaccio and Piazzetta, and a rare liturgical vestment woven in Lyon in the 18th century.

In 2015 the museum was enriched by a permanent exhibition entitled “Donatello al Santo”, with two rooms of photographs, plaster casts and panels that allow close observation of the works Donatello made for the presbytery of the Basilica. Among the casts is a plaster bust of Gattamelata, treated so that it can also be touched by blind visitors. The museum is part of the Basilica's museum complex, together with the Museo della devozione popolare, the Oratorio di San Giorgio and the Scoletta del Santo.

Highlights

• Lunette frescoed by Andrea Mantegna for the Basilica's portal
• 15th-century wooden marquetry and the Navicella, a 16th-century piece of German goldsmith's work
• Altarpieces by Tiepolo, Carpaccio and Piazzetta
• Permanent exhibition “Donatello al Santo” with plaster casts
• Plaster bust of Gattamelata that can be touched

Permanent exhibitions

• Museo Antoniano – Paintings, sculptures, plaster casts, sacred vestments, tapestries and goldsmith's work created for the Basilica and for the Shrine of the Saint.
• Donatello al Santo – Two rooms with photographs, plaster casts and panels on Donatello's works in the Basilica's presbytery, with a bust of Gattamelata that can be touched.

Founded

1995

Operated by

Provincia Italiana di S. Antonio di Padova dei Frati Minori Conventuali

Visitors per year

approx. 7,231

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Admission is free for everyone on 4 October (feast of Saint Francis) and on the second Sunday of May, if the museum sites are open.

The individual combined ticket (standard €10, reduced €7) is valid for the three museum sites of the Antonian complex: Museo Antoniano and Museo della devozione popolare, Oratorio di San Giorgio and Scuola del Santo. Free also for religious, military personnel and tourist guides with a group. Ticket offices at the Basilica's Information Office (entrance from the Chiostro della Magnolia) and at the Museo Antoniano (entrance from the Chiostro del Beato Luca Belludi).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

In the exhibition “Donatello al Santo” a plaster bust of Gattamelata can also be touched by blind visitors.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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