Cappella degli Scrovegni (The Arena Chapel)

Cappella degli Scrovegni (The Arena Chapel) Review

This world-famous chapel and its frescoes were commissioned by Enrico Scrovegno to atone for the sins of his deceased father, Reginaldo, the usurer encountered by Dante in the Seventh Circle of the Inferno in his Divine Comedy. Giotto and his assistants decorated the interior from 1303 to 1305 with a universally acclaimed fresco cycle illustrating the lives of Mary and Jesus. The 38 panels are arranged in tiers and are to be read from left to right. The spatial depth, emotional intensity, and naturalism of these frescoes—note the use of blue sky instead of the conventional, depth-destroying gold background of medieval painting—broke new ground in Western art. Opposite the altar is a Last Judgment, most likely designed and painted by Giotto's assistants, where Enrico offers his chapel to the Virgin, celebrating her role in human salvation—particularly appropriate, given the penitential purpose of the chapel.

Mandatory reservations are for a specific time and are nonrefundable. They can be made well in advance at the ticket office, online, or by phone. Payments online or by phone by credit card must be made one day in advance; payments by bank transfer (possible by phone only) should be made four days in advance. Reservations are necessary even if you have a Padova Card. In order to preserve the artwork, doors are opened only every 15 minutes. A maximum of 25 visitors at a time must spend 15 minutes in an acclimatization room before making a 15-minute (20-minute in winter, late June, and July) chapel visit. Punctuality is essential; tickets should be picked up at least one hour before your reservation time. If you don't have a reservation, it's sometimes possible to buy your chapel admission on the spot—but you might have to wait a while until there's a group with an opening. You can see fresco details as part of a virtual tour at Musei Civici degli Eremitani. A good place to get some background before visiting the chapel is the multimedia room, which offers films and interactive computer presentations.