Museum of Precinema: A Journey into the Origins of Moving Images
The Museum of Precinema – Minici Zotti Collection is one of Padua’s hidden treasures, a fascinating place that tells the story of how cinema was born through optical devices and antique visual instruments. Located in the charming Palazzo Angeli, overlooking Prato della Valle, the museum houses an extraordinary collection of objects that predate the invention of the cinematograph.
Exploring the First Optical Illusions
The museum exhibits a wide range of optical instruments, including:
- Magic Lanterns, the earliest machines capable of projecting images onto a screen, the precursors of modern cinema.
- Shadow Theaters, evoking the charm of ancient visual storytelling.
- Pepper’s Ghost, fascinating optical effects that amazed 19th-century audiences.
- Optical Views and Perspective Boxes, devices that created the illusion of depth and movement long before cinema was invented.
An Interactive and Fascinating Experience
The Museum of Precinema is more than just an exhibition space—it’s an engaging experience. Visitors can explore how ingenious mechanisms allowed people to capture and reproduce movement long before the invention of film. This is a must-visit for cinema lovers, families, and anyone fascinated by optical illusions.
Stay at Hotel Giotto and Explore the Museum
Just minutes from the Museum of Precinema, Hotel Giotto in Padua is the perfect choice for those who want to explore the city and its cultural wonders. After a day discovering the origins of cinema, relax in our comfortable rooms and enjoy warm hospitality.
Discover the charm of the Museum of Precinema and be amazed by the world of optical illusions!