Palazzo Liviano, University palace in Padua, Italy
Palazzo Liviano is a university palace in Padua designed by architect Gio Ponti, featuring metaphysical design elements integrated throughout its structure. The building houses the School of Humanities and contains the Museum of Archaeological and Artistic Sciences on the third floor, displaying Etruscan, Greek, and Roman artifacts.
The building was constructed under rector Carlo Anti's leadership at the University of Padua and integrated sections of the former Capitanio palace into its design. This blending of new construction with existing structures shaped the palace's final form.
The atrium features a large-scale fresco depicting archaeological themes and artistic traditions of Italy. Visitors walking through this space encounter scenes of ancient heritage presented across the walls in vivid detail.
The museum on the third floor is open to visitors and displays collections of ancient artifacts spanning multiple civilizations. Plan to spend time exploring the various rooms and exhibition spaces throughout the building.
Underground anti-aircraft shelters remain intact beneath the palace, connected to a room decorated with frescoes of ancient heroes. These hidden chambers offer a stark contrast to the scholarly spaces above and reveal an often-overlooked chapter of the building's past.
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