Throughout its eight hundred years, the University of Padua has cultivated a rich and diverse heritage across historical, scientific, naturalistic, and artistic fields. This wealth results from the efforts of its faculty, along with donations and acquisitions, all dedicated to supporting) research and teaching activities over time.
A significant portion of this heritage is preserved in eleven museums and eighteen historical collections, along with its historical and artistic legacy. All assets belong to the Departments where the collections were established and where they continue to reside today.

In collaboration with the Departments, the University Center for Museums (CAM) coordinates activities emphasizing the care of the collections and adherence to administrative and accounting procedures while providing comprehensive support for the scientific and cultural advancement of the museums and collections.) The CAM maintains operational and administrative autonomy.
The main objectives and tasks of the CAM are to support research, teaching, and third mission activities - projects aimed at scientific dissemination for the benefit of the community-led by the Departments/Centers and the University, with a focus on the historical assets that constitute the University's cultural heritage. It also aims to ensure the organization, cataloguing, conservation, exhibition, and enhancement of the museum heritage, alongside
the historical-scientific and historical-artistic collections and the extensive heritage of the University.
These objectives and tasks align with the new definition of a museum approved by the International Council of Museums (ICOM), which describes it as “a permanent institution, non-profit, serving society, that conducts research, collects, conserves, interprets, and exhibits cultural heritage, both material and immaterial.”
The activities conducted by the staff affiliated with the CAM, in conjunction with the departments and areas of central administration, are numerous. These include overseeing the conservation of historical assets through routine maintenance and, when necessary, restoration, ensuring their proper exhibition to facilitate access for scholars, students, and the general public. Moreover, leading the systematic cataloguing of heritage to enhance digital accessibility to the collections, managing the temporary loan of assets for thematic exhibitions, instructing and coordinating administrative procedures for asset management in full compliance with the provisions of the Cultural Heritage and Landscape Code. In addition, developing educational programs for schools of all levels and developing educational programs for schools of all levels and creating visit paths for all audiences, including temporary exhibitions and periodic rotation of displayed items; and working to ensure full enjoyment of the right to culture and heritage for all categories of visitors.
The CAM fosters relationships with national and international museum entities and associations, including ICOM, Universeum and Coimbra Group Universities, while promoting the active participation of its museums in major international events of significant scope.

The projects
The CAM and the museums are involved in a series of special projects and initiatives aimed at researching and enhancing heritage in collaboration with various departments and centres
of the University of Padua, along with Italian and international institutions and partners.

MuseAbile – A culture for everyone
The new ICOM definition of a museum identifies them as places that are “open to the public, accessible and inclusive,” where “diversity and sustainability” are promoted. Discover the CAM activities designed to make cultural heritage accessible and usable by everyone. Learn about
the procedures for requesting a loan of museum assets for a temporary exhibition.

University Museums Centre (CAM – Centro di Ateneo per i Musei)

Palazzo Cavalli, Corso Garibaldi 39 - 35121 Padova
tel. +39 049 827 2049
e-mail: centromusei@unipd.it
Posta certificata: centro.cam@pec.unipd.it

DISCOVER THE COLLECTIONS