Porta Aperta — Porta San Giovanni
Exhibitions and art at Porta San Giovanni in Padua
About Porta Aperta
A 16th-century gate becomes an art space
Porta Aperta is the project through which the cultural association XEARTE opens Porta San Giovanni in Padua to the public, a monument from 1528 designed by architect Giovanni Maria Falconetto. For many months a year, from spring to autumn, the interior space of the gate transforms into an exhibition venue and a cultural meeting point in the heart of the historic centre.
Exhibitions, installations, and meetings
The project features a continuous rotation of exhibitions — painting, sculpture, ceramics, graphics, photography — alternating approximately every two weeks, along with installations, screenings, workshops, debates, conferences, and moments of music, dance, and poetry. The gate thus becomes a vibrant hub, capable of hosting emerging and established artists and offering a packed calendar of events with free admission.
A monument returned to the city
Now in its fifteenth year of activity, Porta Aperta is an example of architectural heritage enhancement: a historic asset of Padua, in Veneto, reopened and animated by contemporary culture within the 16th-century walls of the city.
Porta Aperta — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Porta Aperta celebrates the fifteenth year of activity of the XEARTE association. From April to October 2026, Porta San Giovanni hosts a cycle of twelve exhibitions alternating approximately every two weeks, open Tuesday to Sunday from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM, with free admission.
The program ranges from painting, sculpture, ceramics, graphics, and innovative artistic techniques, hosting solo artists and curated group exhibitions, in a journey that accompanies the city throughout the beautiful season within the 16th-century walls of the monument.
Programme Porta Aperta 2026
2026 Exhibitions (Porta San Giovanni, Tue–Sun 4:30 PM–7:30 PM)
- April 16–20 — Toy Painting (Claudio Carbone).
- April 22 – May 6 — Forms and Colours (Evi Mayer, Luca Pegoraro).
- May 8–17 — Abstract Landscapes (group exhibition, curated by Andreas Kramer).
- May 19 – June 2 — Painting Beauty (group exhibition, curated by Silvio Zago).
- June 4–17 — Innovative Artistic Techniques (group exhibition, curated by Maria Grazia Minto).
- June 18–30 — Divergent Forms (Daniela Antonello, Loris Nardo).
- July 1–12 — The Sign, Matter, and Form (Elis Gnoato, Virgilio Barison).
- July 14–31 — Wandering Through Woods and Gardens (Rossana Melai).
- September 1–14 — Giving Colour to Form (Isabella Dainese, Elena Piantella).
- September 16–30 — With Different Eyes (Tatiana Bartsova, Manuela Pizzolotto).
- October 1–13 — Ceramics, Graphics, Paintings, and More (Giovanni Omodeo).
- October 15–31 — Colours and Light (Andrea Schiavo).
Free admission. Program at xearte.net.
Highlights Porta Aperta 2026
The twelve rotating exhibitions in the historic Porta San Giovanni space and XEARTE's fifteenth year of activity.
Prices Porta Aperta 2026
Practical information — Porta Aperta
Where
Porta San Giovanni, along Corso Milano, Padua (PD).
When
From spring to autumn, with exhibitions alternating approximately every two weeks. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 4:30 PM–7:30 PM.
Admission
Free.
Information
XEARTE Cultural Association, email [email protected], tel. +39 348 3708079. Schedule at xearte.net and Padova Cultura.
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Where does it take place — Porta Aperta
Porta San Giovanni
Porta San Giovanni, Corso Milano, 35123 Padova