Museo archeologico Torre di Malta
Civic museum in the Torre di Malta in Cittadella, with finds from the Bronze Age to the medieval period and the Museo dell'Assedio on the siege of 1318.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Torre di Malta stands against the Porta Padova of Cittadella and was built in 1251 by Ezzelino III da Romano as a prison for his enemies. The sinister reputation of the violence committed inside made it famous even among contemporaries, and Dante mentions it in the Divine Comedy.
Today the spacious rooms of the tower house the Museo civico archeologico, founded after finds from excavations in the historic centre came to light in the early 1990s. Pottery and bronzes, arranged by location and chronology, document life in the upper Paduan plain from the Bronze Age and Copper Age through the Roman period to the medieval and early modern periods.
On the third floor, the Museo dell'Assedio recreates the siege of Cittadella by Cangrande della Scala in 1318, with replicas of armour, weapons and everyday objects. From the top you reach the panoramic belvedere of Porta Padova, overlooking the historic centre.
Highlights
- Finds from the Bronze Age to the medieval and early modern periods
- Museo dell'Assedio on the third floor, devoted to the siege of 1318
- Panoramic terrace of the belvedere above Porta Padova
- Tower built in 1251 by Ezzelino III da Romano
- Access included in the ticket for the Camminamento di Ronda
Permanent exhibitions
- Museo archeologico – Pottery and bronzes from the excavations of Cittadella's historic centre, from the Bronze Age to the medieval and early modern periods.
- Museo dell'Assedio – Replicas of armour, weapons and everyday objects recount Cangrande della Scala's siege of 1318.
- Operated by
- Comune di Cittadella
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Residents of Cittadella, over 65s, children aged 4 to 17, university students up to 26, groups of at least 10 people |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 3 · Children aged 4 to 17: reduced ticket. Free admission for children aged 0 to 3. |
| Seniors | €3Over 65s with identity card. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for people with a certified disability. |
| Students & apprentices | €3University students up to 26 with a university badge. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €3 per personGroups of at least 10 people with telephone reservation and single payment by the group leader. |
| Families | €14Family ticket for 2 adults and 2 minors. |
Tickets are bought at the IAT tourist office at Porta Bassano. They cover the Camminamento di Ronda and the museums along the route, including the Museo archeologico, the Museo dell'Assedio and the panoramic terrace of the Torre di Malta. The ticket is valid only for immediate use and is non-refundable. Guided tours are available for a supplement and by reservation.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
A ramp leads to the entrance and the conference room, and a goods lift connects the upper floors. The Camminamento di Ronda is not wheelchair-accessible. Wheelchair users can visit the museums of the Torre di Malta by lift, with a prior telephone reservation. The panoramic terrace above the tower is not wheelchair-accessible: reaching the belvedere from the fourth floor involves a step of 5–6 cm.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €14 · Family ticket for 2 adults and 2 minors. |
- Stroller-friendly: not available
Strollers cannot be taken up the Camminamento di Ronda and can be left at the ticket office.
Getting there & parking
The Torre di Malta is located by Porta Padova, on the opposite side of the city walls from the IAT tourist office at Porta Bassano, where tickets are bought.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The Torre di Malta has a souvenir shop and toilets.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours are available for a supplement and with advance reservation, including for groups and schools (muradicittadella.it). The full route on the walls takes about 45 minutes. Small dogs up to 3 kg are admitted to the museums if carried in arms. |
