Museo di archeologia e scienze naturali Giuseppe Zannato
Civic museum housed in Villa Lorenzoni, with an archaeological section from prehistory to the Lombards and a natural history section known for its fossil crabs.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum was founded in 1922 as the private collection of Cavaliere Giuseppe Zannato, who gathered archaeological and natural history finds from the area. In 1983 the collection passed to the Comune di Montecchio Maggiore and was set up in three rooms in the basement of the civic library, in Villa Lorenzoni; the rooms became seven in 1998.
From 2007 the museum has occupied the entire villa and is arranged in twelve rooms, with a large teaching room, workshops and offices. It works in network with the Sistema Museale Agno-Chiampo, which brings together nine municipalities in the western Vicenza area, and cooperates with the Associazione Amici del Museo, the Soprintendenza and the University of Padua.
The archaeological section, on the piano nobile (main floor), displays finds from the Neolithic to the Lombard period from the Agno and Chiampo territory, with important groups from the Iron Age, the Roman period and the Lombard period. The natural history section, in the basement, holds minerals and gemstones from the Vicenza area and a collection of fossil crustaceans of international importance, with numerous holotypes and paratypes.
Highlights
- International collection of fossil crabs
- Gems and minerals from the Vicenza area
- Grave goods of the Celts from the Gualiva necropolis
- Burial of the Lombard knight of Monticello di Fara
- Seat in the historic Villa Lorenzoni
Permanent exhibitions
- Sezione archeologica – On the piano nobile five rooms present finds from the Neolithic and the Bronze Age to the Lombards, including the Lombard knight of Monticello di Fara.
- Sezione naturalistica – Gems and minerals from the Vicenza area, fossils and a large collection of Italian and international fossil crustaceans are displayed in the basement.
- Founded
- 1922
- Operated by
- Comune di Montecchio Maggiore
- Visitors per year
- approx. 5,000
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2Over 60s, under-18s and groups |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 10 · Free admission for children up to 10 years. |
| Seniors | €2Reduced rate for over-60s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for people with disabilities. |
| Groups | €2 per personReduced rate for groups. |
| Combined ticket with a guided visit to the Castles of Juliet and Romeo, to the Priare and to the museum | €6Valid for one month from first use |
Accessibility
- 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
All floors can be reached by an external lift; access must be arranged with the ticket office staff, who can be contacted in advance at +39 0444 492565.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 10 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The museum offers workshops and educational activities for children, in the museum and at school, with a direct, hands-on approach to the exhibits.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | For schools and groups, educational workshops are run by specialist staff, in the museum or at the school, on request via an online form; educational secretariat +39 0445 1716489. |
