Palazzo della Ragione

About the museum

The Palazzo della Ragione, also known as the Salòn, was the historic seat of the courts of Padua and is one of the most celebrated civic monuments built in Europe in the age of the communes. Construction began in 1218; at 82 metres long and 27 metres wide, it houses one of the largest upper-floor halls in Europe.

Between 1306 and 1308 Fra Giovanni degli Eremitani combined the three rooms of the upper floor into a single hall and designed the roof in the shape of an upturned ship’s hull. At the beginning of the 14th century the commission to paint the walls went to Giotto and his workshop, but that cycle was destroyed by the fire of 1420. The frescoes were redone by the Paduan painter Nicolò Miretto with Stefano da Ferrara and others, based on the studies of Pietro d’Abano.

The new cycle comprises 333 panels across three superimposed bands and is one of the very few medieval astrological cycles to survive. The hall also holds the Pietra del Vituperio, on which insolvent debtors had to strike their buttocks, and the large wooden horse built by Annibale Capodilista for a joust and given to the city; since 2006 there has also been a reconstruction of the Foucault pendulum. Today the hall hosts exhibitions and cultural events and is one of the monumental venues of the Musei Civici di Padova.

Highlights

• Cycle of 333 medieval astrological fresco panels
• Hull-shaped roof, one of the largest upper-floor halls in Europe
• Pietra del Vituperio
• Large wooden horse by Annibale Capodilista
• Foucault pendulum, 20 metres long

Permanent exhibition

• Il Salone con il ciclo astrologico – The large hall with 333 fresco panels on three bands, the Pietra del Vituperio, the wooden horse and the Foucault pendulum.

Operated by

Comune di Padova – Musei Civici

Visitors per year

approx. 156,107

Admission & discounts

Advance booking and advance sales are optional, with a booking fee of €1 per person. Free admission also for teachers accompanying school groups, accredited journalists, licensed tourist guides on duty and ICOM card holders. Prices may differ for exhibitions. Carta Famiglia at €30 (for up to two adults and two young people under 17; one admission to each site; valid 15 days).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• 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

People with mobility impairments enter from the courtyard of the Town Hall, in Via 8 Febbraio. A guide to the palazzo in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) describes the place in simple, accessible language.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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.

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