Museo di geografia dell'Università di Padova

About the museum

The Museum of Geography of the University of Padua is housed in Palazzo Wollemborg, a historic building in the city centre that belonged to the Capodilista family and later was home to Leone Wollemborg, promoter of the first rural credit bank in Italy. Opened to the public in 2019, it presents itself as the first geography museum in Italy.

The collections stem from more than 150 years of research and teaching: the items gathered since the mid-19th century by the university's two geographical institutes, one of human geography and one of physical geography, form their core. They include ancient atlases and books, geographical maps and wall maps, over 20,000 photographs from the early 20th century to today, globes, plaster models of volcanoes and other features of the planet, about 150 instruments, a small collection of rocks, and a collection of contemporary art that brings cartography and art into dialogue.

The route is organised into three rooms devoted to climate, exploration and the metaphors of geography, linking the history of the discipline to current themes. Audio itineraries and geographical missions are also offered to discover the street on which the museum stands.

Highlights

• Atlases and antique books
• Over 20,000 photographs from the 20th century to today
• Globes from the 17th century and plaster models
• About 150 instruments used by Padua's geographers
• Rooms on climate, exploration and the metaphors of geography
• Polyplaces audio itinerary along via del Santo

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso permanente: clima, esplorazione e metafore della geografia – Three rooms on climate, exploration and the metaphors of geography, with models, globes, instruments, maps and photographs.

Founded

2019

Operated by

Università degli Studi di Padova

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for members and honorary members of ICOM and ANMS, of the Associazione degli Amici dell'Università di Padova, and for journalists and guides with a press card. Tickets can be bought online on the website of the university museums.

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

Barrier-free exhibition routes, lifts accessible from street level, toilets fitted for people with disabilities, seating along the route and a free audio guide in Italian and English. An experimental guide in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is available, also in print at the front desk; personalised experiences on request. The museum is in a limited traffic zone, but vehicles displaying a disabled parking badge may enter.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

“Missioni geografiche” booklet for children from age 6, to be completed as a family in three places in Padua; guided tours adaptable to groups with children, and a family ticket for €6.

Getting there & parking

5 minutes on foot from the Piazze, 10 minutes from the Basilica del Santo and 15 minutes from Prato della Valle.

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