Museo nazionale atestino

About the museum

The Museo Nazionale Atestino has its roots in the Museo Civico Lapidario, the first public collection established in Este to prevent the dispersal of local antiquities. The first core, formed in 1834 from the Alessi and Contarini collections, found a home in the small church of Santa Maria dei Battuti. Over the course of the 19th century the collection grew thanks to excavations and research in the area.

Since 1902 the museum has been housed in Palazzo Mocenigo, built in the 16th century by Venetian patricians along the Sirone canal; a stretch of the walls of the Carrara castle was incorporated into its façade. Three halls on the piano nobile (main floor) have frescoed vaults attributed to Giulio Carpioni.

The route, renovated since 1984, presents in chronological and topographical order the material of the civilisation of the ancient Veneti, who lived in the area throughout the 1st millennium BC, and the transformation of the Roman town of Ateste between the 1st century BC and the 2nd century AD; a small section is devoted to medieval, Renaissance and modern ceramics. The collection comprises about 65,000 inventory numbers, a specialist library and a photo archive.

Highlights

• Grave goods and settlements of the ancient Veneti
• Tomb of Nerka, evidence of Romanisation
• Frammento Atestino, a bronze plaque with a legal inscription
• Madonna with Child by Cima da Conegliano (1504)
• Ceramics from the local workshops of Este

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso permanente: dalla preistoria all'età romana – Eleven rooms illustrate the settlements, necropolises and sanctuaries of the ancient Veneti, the Romanisation, and the public and private life of the Roman town.

Founded

1902

Operated by

Ministero della Cultura – Direzione regionale Musei nazionali Veneto

Visitors per year

approx. 21,155

Admission & discounts

Because of the ongoing works in the museum, the entrance ticket is temporarily reduced to €3; the standard price is €5. For further statutory concessions, please refer to the website of the Ministry of Culture. Tickets can also be purchased with the app and the Musei Italiani portal.

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

Architectural barriers have been removed and a lift serves the first floor; access and facilities for people with disabilities are provided.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

A family ticket is available; for schools there are interactive routes and workshops in the education room and in the galleries.

Getting there & parking

By car: A13 motorway Bologna–Padua, Monselice exit, then state road 16 and regional road 10.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

Free cloakroom. The museum also has a multipurpose hall and an education room.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit