In the beating heart of Verona, overlooking Piazza delle Erbe, stands a place capable of surprising and enchanting. Palazzo Maffei is a treasure trove of art and history that welcomes the visitor on a timeless journey. Whether you are an art lover, a tourist in search of beauty, or a family discovering the city, this museum is a must-see.
A Baroque palace among the wonders of the city
The building, dating from the 16th century, is the city's first Baroque palace. Richly decorated with stucco, frescoes and original furnishings, it was transformed into a museum in 2020 thanks to the passion and vision of collector Luigi Carlon, who created the extraordinary collection. Today Palazzo Maffei can be described as a contemporary Wunderkammer: a museum where the ancient and modern meet and merge, offering a unique narrative that spans centuries and cultures.
Palazzo Maffei - ph credits: Massimo Ripani
Over 700 works, as well as archaeology, painting and design
The exhibition consists of 29 rooms and over 700 works, including paintings, sculptures, applied arts, archaeological finds and design objects, from ancient Egypt to the most recent expressions of contemporary art. The collection ranges from Veronese painting, by arists such as Giolfino and Paolo Caliari known as Veronese, to Vedutists such as Gaspar van Wittel, up to the great protagonists of the world art scene: Mantegna, Canova, Modigliani, Boldini, Picasso, Magritte, Kandinsky, Mirò, De Chirico, Fontana, Manzoni, and Dechamp to name but a few. And alongside these famous names we find contemporary artists such as Cattelan, Claire Fontaine, Leandro Erlich, Sassolino, Nannucci and Gardina, who are witnesses to a living, open and constantly evolving collection.
ph credits: Paolo Riolzi
The Great Wave and other masterpieces
Among the most iconic works is Hokusai's “The Great Wave of Kanagawa”, one of the most recognized images in the world. With over one billion views online, it has surpassed even the Mona Lisa in popularity, and the presence of this masterpiece testifies to the collection's openness to different forms of culture while underlining the universality of art as a shared language. This is a museum for everyone, for families, schools and also children. Thanks to an attentive and passionate team of curators the museum offers young visitors creative workshops, treasure hunts and interactive tours, making the visit stimulating and fun for them too. In 2024 alone almost 400 children between the ages of five and twelve took part in art labs and other educational activities. For every young visitor the “Kids at the Museum” kit, in Italian and English, is available free of charge at the ticket office.
The Great Wave of Kanagawa - Hokusai
When art does good: the MINERVA project
Palazzo Maffei is also the protagonist of a pioneering project: MINERVA (Museum, Innovation, Neuroscience), a collaboration between the museum and the WHO Centre of the University of Verona. The aim is that of studying the positive effects of a museum visit on mental health, in particular on anxiety and depression. Over a hundred participants took part in the guided tours which were specially structured to measure psychophysical reactions to exposure to art, and the first promising results will soon be published in international scientific journals.
Chiara Dynis - Luca Rotondo
Inclusiveness and social engagement
Art, according to Palazzo Maffei, must be accessible to everyone. For this reason the museum constantly promotes cultural and social initiatives like Art in Action, against gender violence, it also offers free admission to foreign students in collaboration with the Pasta Factory Rana, and it has developed the Design4All audio guide for visitors with disabilities, to be released in 2025 with the support of the PNRR.
Staircase - ph credits Paolo Riolzi
Events and meetings in the Teatrino
On the second floor of the building the charming Teatrino is a space reserved for exclusive events like conferences, gala dinners, cultural meetings, corporate cocktails and private visits behind closed doors. With its spectacular view over Piazza delle Erbe, Palazzo Maffei is one of the most fascinating locations in Verona.
Useful info: Hours: from 1 March 2025, open 6 days a week (closed Tuesdays), from 10:00 to 18:00 (last entrance at 17:10). Where: Piazza delle Erbe, 38, 37121, Verona, Italy. Ideal for: families, tourists, schools, private events. Services: audio guides, mini-guides, children's kit, bookshop, panoramic terrace.
Visit the website
