The Former Dominican Convent in Zibello: A Journey Through Time and History

The former Dominican Convent in Zibello, located in the heart of the town, is an extraordinary example of how history and culture intertwine in one place. Founded between 1494 and 1510 by Gianfrancesco I Pallavicino, lord of the marquisate of Zibello, the convent is an institution that has seen significant changes over the centuries, testifying to the social and cultural evolution of the area.
Over the course of its history, the building has undergone various transformations. Originally intended for the Dominican friars, the convent was enriched with a library and expanded in the following centuries. However, due to the ducal laws of 1769 and the Napoleonic decrees of 1805, the convent was suppressed and the friars had to abandon it.
In 1822, Maria Luigia of Austria, Duchess of Parma, saved the complex by transforming it into a civil hospital to accommodate the poor, a function it maintained until 1970. After being used as a school, the former convent was restored and today houses several cultural facilities of great value.
Today, the former Dominican Convent is an important cultural center. It houses the "Giuseppe Riccardi" Museum of Rural Civilization, where you can admire tools and objects related to rural life of the past, divided into different thematic sections, such as the kitchen, agricultural tools and cellar. In addition, the "Il Cinematografo" Museum houses a vast collection of objects related to the history of cinema, including praxinoscopes, gramophones and magic lanterns.
The building still retains the charm of its past, with a sixteenth-century cloister characterized by a C-shaped plan and round arches. The neoclassical facades are elegant, with a double string course and gabled windows. The combination of Renaissance and Neoclassical elements, along with its current cultural function, makes this place a point of reference not only for the local community, but also for visitors who want to discover the rich historical and cultural heritage of Zibello.

Via Giacomo Matteotti, 27, 43010 Polesine Zibello