Museo civico dei villaggi scomparsi
Museum in Palazzo Valentinelli on the early medieval villages of the Bassa Padovana that disappeared, with finds, maps and a village model.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum grew out of research begun in 1984 by the Gruppo Bassa Padovana on the lost settlements of the area between the Colli Euganei and the Adige. It opened in 1996 and since 2011 has been on the first floor of Palazzo Valentinelli, a recently restored historic building that also houses the municipal library.
The settlements arose with the agricultural land reclamation of Roman times, developed between the 10th and 12th centuries and disappeared between the 14th and 15th centuries. The exhibition hall is divided into four thematic areas. The first introduces the environment and research methods, with a large illuminated map of the abandoned villages and a model of an early medieval village of huts and a church. The others present villages whose location has been confirmed, such as Ancarano, Finale and Vescovana, up to the village of Villa, with Renaissance ceramics and fragments of soapstone (pietra ollare).
Among the finds, a bronze fibula with traces of gilding, a male head and cannonballs made of trachyte stand out. A multimedia station concludes the visit. The museum is linked to the Bosco dei Lavacci, a natural area on the floodplain of the Gorzone.
Highlights
- Model of an early medieval village with huts and a church
- Illuminated map of the abandoned villages of the Bassa Padovana
- Lost villages of Ancarano, Finale, Vescovana and Villa
- Bronze fibula, Renaissance ceramics and soapstone
- Multimedia station and QR-code audio guide
Permanent exhibition
- Percorso espositivo sui villaggi scomparsi – Four thematic areas with finds, maps and the model of an early medieval village.
- Founded
- 1996
- Operated by
- Comune di Villa Estense – Gruppo Bassa Padovana
- Visitors per year
- approx. 1,100
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission according to Musei Italiani.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- 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
Accessible with ramp, lift and toilets for people with disabilities.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
Free car park on site.
Amenities & dining
Large outdoor park with picnic facilities, suitable for groups and school classes.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Free audio guide via QR code (earphones required). Educational workshops for schools by reservation. |
