The Geography Museum of the University of Padova invites visitors to discover the power of Geography, a fascinating science which has always been animated by the desire to understand the world by way of continual dialogue between the methods of natural sciences and those of social sciences.
The collections testify the geographical research and teaching activities which have taken place at the University of Padova since the 19th century and narrate the development of geographical thought, from determinism up to the cultural turn.
By means of instruments, maps, globes, relief models and photographs, the Museum proposes a three-stage journey, corresponding to the keywords: Explore, Measure, Tell.
The setup underlines the link between past research and present times and involves visitors of all ages in an open dialogue.
Mission
The Museum’s mission is to act as an “incubator” of the University’s Third Mission: it aims to revitalize the relationship between University and society, by combining collection enhancement with promotion of geographical ideas and actions in everyday life.
Furthermore, it aims to be an innovative hub where the three university functions (scientific research, education and social responsibility) can communicate and find reciprocal legitimization.
Heritage
Over the years in Padova, geographical research and teaching have built up a unique heritage consisting of both a tangible and an intangible section. The former includes globes, maps, atlases, terrain models, instruments and photographs. The latter consists of constantly applied research and teaching practices, which have become characteristic of the Paduan geographical tradition.
Spaces
The Museum of Geography is housed at the first floor of the Wollemborg Palace, seat of the DiSSGeA Section of Geography and of the former Department of Geography, where human and physical geographers worked together between 1984 and 2011.
Scientific Commission
Giada Peterle (scientific supervisor), Aldino Bondesan, Elena Canadelli, Monica Celi, Giovanni Donadelli, Chiara Gallanti (AIIG), Paolo Mozzi (Department of Geosciences), Lorena Rocca, Mauro Varotto
Technical and Educational Supervisor
Giovanni Donadelli
Contacts
Palazzo Wollemborg Via del Santo, 26 - 35123 Padova
Tel. +39 049 8274276 Fax. + 39 049 8274099 Web: www.musei.unipd.it/geografia Email. museo.geografia@unipd.it Facebook: Museo di Geografia - Unipd