Centro culturale Altinate San Gaetano

Centro culturale Altinate San Gaetano is a cultural center in Padua housed in a five-level building spanning 12,000 square meters with an auditorium, exhibition spaces, workshops, and a civic library. The spaces are organized to allow different activities to happen simultaneously, with areas flowing naturally into one another.

The building was originally constructed in the 16th century as a convent by architect Vincenzo Scamozzi and served as Padua's courthouse until 1995. Its transformation into a cultural center connected its historic structure with contemporary cultural functions.

The center holds a substantial collection of contemporary literature, local history documents, and art resources while hosting exhibitions, conferences, and performances throughout the year. Visitors encounter the work of local artists and cultural figures who regularly share their projects in these spaces.

The center is open daily and offers wireless internet throughout the building along with a cafe-restaurant serving local dishes. Visitors should plan time to explore the different levels since various activities and offerings are distributed across all floors.

The lower floors of the center preserve late medieval paving and archaeological remains visible in the foyer area. This layer of the past gives the modern cultural space a special historical depth, showing how much the city was built upon itself.