The Scrovegni Chapel: A Top Attraction in Padua

One of Padua's top tourist attractions, 

if not the top tourist attraction, 

is the Scrovegni Chapel. 

The chapel was commissioned by Enrico Scrovegni in 1303

but is now a museum open to the public 

to view the vibrantly colored frescoes of Giotto. 

Scrovegni Chapel

To tour the chapel, 

you need to purchase tickets 

and you must arrive on time.

Scrovegni Chapel

You will enter a decompression area first 

where you will spend 15 minutes 

allowing the stabilization of the interior microclimate

during which time you will be watching an informational film. 

Scrovegni Chapel

Then you will get exactly 15 minutes in the chapel. 

I read a good suggestion for those 

who wish a longer time to view the frescoes 

is to purchase two back-to-back tickets. 

That would give you 30 minutes in the chapel. 

Scrovegni Chapel

The frescoes are a masterpiece of storytelling so  

take time to notice the intricate details. 

If you do not have a tour guide, 

read a bit about the frescoes in advance 

and you will have a greater appreciation 

of the work and juxtapositions. 

Scrovegni Chapel

Be sure to look for the frescoes depicting 

Vices and Virtues, 

the Life of Mary

the Life of Christ, 

the Last Judgement, 

and the Annunciation. 

Scrovegni Chapel

Sometimes the chapel is referred to as the Arena Chapel

 because of its location 

on what was once a Roman arena. 

Don't let that confuse you, 

they are one in the same. 

Scrovegni Chapel

More images from the chapel are here. 

The chapel website is here. 

More of my information about visiting Padua is here. 

Once you are at the chapel, 

take a stroll through the nearby Church of the Eremitani 

Church of the Eremitani

Once bombed in WW2 for its unlucky location 

next to a German command center, 

it has been rebuilt 

and some frescoes remain. 

There are additional photos of 

the Church of the Eremitani here.