Padova Travel Forum

The highlight of my upcoming trip to Italy will be the chance to finally visit the Cappella degli Scrovegni. I was horrified to find I can only get a 15 minute appointment. Gah! I need more time than that. I made the appointment of course, but I wondering if anyone knows a way I could stay longer.

I read in the Rick Steves guide book that it's possible to get 20 minute appointments in the evening, but that's also tragically short.

Has anyone had luck getting past 20 minutes? Could I write a letter or something?

the only I was able to enjoy it longer was to reserve multiple appointments; i didn't care about the cost. it was sooooo worth it. good luck. :)

We visited this past January and we were the only people there. We were told we could have an extra five minutes, which we eagerly took and as we went in, the man at the door said we could have a further 20 minutes as there was no-one booked for after us! We felt very lucky and very privileged and it was a memorable visit, especially as there was just the two of us for a whole 40 minutes - and it cost us just the one entry fee! However, as I suspect you are going between now and the end of the year, I think you will be lucky to even book the 15 minute appointment. Btw, leave about an extra 15 minutes before they say you should arrive for your appointment. The man on the ticket desk is excrutiatingly slow and then you have to check your bags and it all takes time. If you are not at the entrance door well before time, then that's it. There is a video presentation first but you can also watch it when uyou come out. Our visit fulfilled a lifetime's ambition and we were certainly not disappointment. The recent-ish restoration work is wonderful and the frescoes look as fresh and new as the day they were painted. Don't miss the opportunity to go to the art gallery (Pinateca) on the same site - preferably beforehand, as afterwards, everything pales in comparison to the frescoes! Also, don't miss visiting the church next door to the site, Chiesa degli Eremitani. Back to the Scrovegni - Ibelieve the evening appointments are for 30 minutes. Enjoy the time you have there! It is absolutely breath-taking. The psotcards, at €1, are a rip-off but there is a very good book for sale called "Giotto in Padua" for €5.90, (ISBN 978-88-6130-920-3) by Robert d'Adda, which shows all the Chapel frescos. This is a good buy.

I agree with hawkhead, in this part of the year is really hard to get lucky and stay extra time... also the school trip are very frequent now.
I also agree about Chiesa degli Eremitani!! dont miss to visit Cappella Ovetari inside this church where the Mangegna frescos are. If it will be still closed for restoring work try to find the caretaker, I did, and he was wery nice and, when i told him i was so sad i cant see well the frescos because the scaffolding, he opened the gate and took me inside the chapel to see better!!
enjoy your Padova trip!!

Thank you all for your replies. Since we'll be visiting the end of May, I doubt if we'll be able to stay extra, but I can only hope....