The library

The Library is located on the second and partly on the ground floor of Palazzo Ca' Borin, in Via del Santo No. 22.

The two buildings that house the Library are collectively known as the Wollemborg Palaces, as the Jewish family of the same name once owned them.

In one of them was born Leone Wollemborg, economist, Minister of Finance in 1901 and founder in 1883 of the first Italian Rural Bank. Both of the buildings probably date back to the 16th century, even if over time they have undergone various transformations.

Their current appearance dates back to the mid-18th century when the Wollemborg family succeeded the Borini family – hence the name “Ca’ Borin”, still used today. At the time, the back part of the buildings overlooked large gardens, which survived until the 20th century.

In 1968, both buildings had become property of the University of Padua, so they underwent a series of interventions aimed at making them usable for educational and administrative purposes. New buildings were built in place of the gardens and the rooms of the monumental body were restored.

We can still admire the splendid stuccoes of Ca' Borin - with symbolic elements and references to Ariosto's work - and the enchanting Music Room of Palazzo Wollemborg, with its monochrome frescoes of the zodiac signs (in an unusual order) and the parquet inlaid with mother-of-pearl.