Palazzo dell'Accademia dei Concordi
On Rovigo's main square, the neoclassical facade of the Palazzo dell'Accademia dei Concordi holds something you wouldn't guess from the street: a 14th-century illuminated Bible, a 15th-century rabbinical refutation of Christianity, and the mummies of Meryt and a child — Egyptian funerary objects sitting quietly in a provincial Italian library.
The Accademia has been the city's principal cultural institution for centuries, and the palazzo itself, completed in 1814, has housed its library, collections, and meetings ever since. Over 250,000 volumes line the shelves — rare manuscripts, codices, and works that scholars travel specifically to consult.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who come back tend to head straight for the manuscript reading room, open only Tuesday, Thursday, and Wednesday mornings — worth building your itinerary around. The Egyptian section surprises most visitors; it's modest in scale but the objects are genuine and the juxtaposition with the Venetian-school pinacoteca, now shown across the square at Palazzo Roverella, makes for an unexpectedly layered afternoon.
The story behind Palazzo dell'Accademia dei Concordi
Gaspare Campo, a Rovigo nobleman with a serious interest in science, letters, and the arts, founded the Accademia dei Concordi in 1580. His son Alessandro secured the first formal statutes from the Republic of Venice on 11 September 1648, and the Republic gave its official approval in 1739 — by which point the academy had already outlasted its founder by more than a century.
The current building came later. Architect Sante Baseggio designed the neoclassical palazzo, and it was completed in 1814. From 1836 onward it became the permanent home of the academy, its library, and its art collection — a role it has held, through expansions and now a significant restoration, ever since.
Good to know
Rovigo's train station is a short walk away, with frequent connections to Venice and Bologna. The library is closed Sundays and Monday mornings; rare manuscripts are accessible only Tuesday, Thursday, and selected Wednesday slots. Check www.concordi.it before visiting, as restoration work is ongoing across the palazzo and adjacent buildings.
Where is Palazzo dell'Accademia dei Concordi?
More tickets & tours for Palazzo dell'Accademia dei Concordi
Book directly at the provider
What travellers say about Palazzo dell'Accademia dei Concordi
I requested a book from another library and they managed to get it to me on time. Renewing is easy—just call again. It's a shame I can't do it digitally. Very friendly staff!
The library is well-stocked. There are some shelves with prominently displayed books, but the rest are not accessible independently. You must either obtain the code online and provide it to the staff, or ask directly for the book and they will find the code and retrieve it. The young staff is always very kind and helpful.
An exhibition on Art and Magic in European Art between the 19th and 20th Centuries. The art-historical research is highly interesting, but few pieces on display can be considered masterpieces. At Palazzo Roverella, until January 29, 2019. The ticket also includes access to the Pinacoteca dell'Accademia dei Concordi, with 16th-century works on display at Palazzo Roverella. Those from the 17th and 18th centuries are located nearby, at the Academy.
Convent of the Capuchin Friars of St. Francis, maximum availability, kindness, high culture, excellent human qualities, and academic intelligence. Holiness is the backdrop that highlights every talent. A great school of faith!
Cultural center. A well-stocked library and lending service covering the entire provincial library system. Lecture series are held weekly in the Tapestry Room. A study room is available on the top floor. Internet access is available for a fee.
More of Rovigo
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Rovigo →More attractions in Rovigo
All of Rovigo →
Background adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · ratings & place photos via Google · other photos with per-image credit. Ticket links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.