Scrovegni Chapel visit x2?

Padua is a pilgrimage site so espec in June this chapel is very busy. Sure sign up for Back to back tourshopefully it does not reject your second req. i agree this visit warrants more than 15 min.

Let us know if you are successful. I would like to spend more than 15 minutes there myself. It's definitely a pilgrimage for an art historian/BFA.

Well, I am too far out, as it is only possible to schedule through the end of March. I'll post again with results in (presumably) early March. Maybe I'll have to wear a disguise the 2nd time through :-)

By all means try to get two viewings. I was in Padova in November and had a 3PM slot. I arrived to watch the 2:30 group of 25 enter the air lock. At 2:45 they arose and went into the chapel. The attendant opened the door and beckoned me forward. I showed him that I was not scheduled till 3 but he ushered me through the door which then closed behind me. I was the only one there! I was able to stare at the frescoes savoring them, darting back and forth, looking at the sculptures on the altar all alone. I had free rein in the Scrovegni. WOW! When my 15 minutes of fame were over, I left, sated and happy. As I passed the entrance, the 3 PM group was there and I counted 24 heads. Lucky me for being early.The guard told me that quite often slots at 15 and 45 minutes after the hour don't fill up as much as those on the hour and the half hour. Of course, I was there in November, not June. I think just 15 minutes with 25 people might not be sufficient to absorb the beauty of the frescoes.

I visited the chapel in July 2015. At that time there was something different about the last time-slot of the day. I don't remember the details (I went earlier in the afternoon), but I think you were allowed to stay in the chapel longer. I know I read about this in a guidebook or online.

Here's a link to a TripAdvisor review from late 2015 that mentions double time, but Google "extended visit Scrovegni" and you'll get lots of hits.

Thanks everyone! acraven's post in particular was very helpful. Turns out it is possible to double-book, and apparently stay for 30 continuous minutes. There is also the option of an extended visit at the end of the day, though we can't take advantage of that since we'll be on the way to Venice.

I do this every time I go, I book two reservations, usually 30 minutes apart, since at least 15 minutes is going through the intro/waiting area. Have not tried back-to-back reservations, but that would be ideal (you would have two minutes or so alone in the chapel, theoretically).

If you book an hour apart, you can go to the Chiesa degli Erematini a few meters away, and see the frescoes that remain in the church after it was bombed during WWII.

Thanks Zoe,
I'm going to try calling to see if I can do 30 continuous minutes; if not, I'll do it your way, ideally for :15 and :45 after the hour as Philip points out. Good to know about the Chiesa deli Erematini. BTW I'm getting significant Art History prof vibes from you, if so I'm jealous :-)
Joel

If you don't get more than 15 minutes, or even if you do, go to the Wikipedia article about the chapel where you will see every frescoed wall in brilliant color with a description of the story it represents. The chapel is quite small and you can see it all in 15 minutes if you're prepared by knowing what you're looking at. I always use this strategy for famous art sights and it helps tremendously. Wikipedia or Google will show you great photos of most things you will see in Italy.

Susan, that is a great idea, thanks.

Be sure to notice what happens to Judas's halo over the course of several panels.

Right on the art history fixation, I teach a course in Spirituality and Theology in Christian Art.

I don't think 15 minutes is enough, and actually I am not sure if another group moves right in after the first one moves out.

Joel, IIRC you are a birder, right? If you travel with small binocs, take them with you into the chapel.

I visited with an RS group and our local tour guide pushed it to about 20 minutes but oh my, I wanted to stay longer!

Hi Pam, yes, I am a birder, and always have (small, lightweight-travel-compatible) binoculars handy. I find them really useful in museums not only for seeing things high up or far away, but also for close-up looks when a barrier keeps you away from an artwork.

And now I'm really curious about Judas's halo. . .

Gee, I am truly surprised by all the responses here.
The Scrovegni Chapel is a wonderful sight, and for conservation reasons, access is subject to restrictions. If demand is such that all times become full (which is usually the case), then by booking 2 entries you are really preventing someone else from seeing this marvellous sight.
Given the conservation criteria that need to be met, the time restriction is a fair way to enable as many people as possible to access this small space. My personal view is that booking two entries goes against that spirit of fairness. Imagine how difficult obtaining tickets would be if everybody booked 2 viewings.
I was happy with my 15 minutes.

That is a very good point, djp_syd, though after thinking about it I am not convinced that doubling up is not OK. The reason is that, by your logic, anyone visiting the chapel more than once in a lifetime, during the busy months of course, would be taking more than his or her share of time there. But surely there is nothing wrong with seeing the chapel more than once in a lifetime? If so, then doubling up on the same day must be similarly excusable.

Another thing, I think it is reasonable to say that some persons just need more time than others with great works of art. Fifteen minutes really is absurdly minimal for a place like the Scrovegni Chapel for someone with a lifelong fascination with art and art history. I'm sure many persons on this forum could spend a couple of hours or more in there; I know I could.

But having said that, I think an optimal solution--in my own case, I want to stress--will be to call, and ask the ticket seller if the day I plan to visit is likely to sell out every single slot. If so, I may well just go with a single slot rather than doubling up. The reason is that I will be retiring soon enough, and my wife and I will then be able to spend winter months in Europe, when crowds will not be an issue. But if I did not have this plan B to look forward to, I'd go with a double ticket with a clear conscience.

I have done back to back tours and, as previously noted, that gave me a few minutes totally alone in the chapel. It was November and, since slots were not filled, I returned later in the afternoon for a final view. It is worth every minute you can spend in the chapel.

Before the 15-minute rule went into effect, I would spend a couple of hours in the Chapel. But I am very interested in art.

Some time ago, we were able to purchase late night tickets for an extended tour. It was very worthwhile. Is this no longer available? I seem to recall buying the tickets directly from the chapel website. I thought it was an extraordinary experience. Good luck.

All I'm seeing for late tickets (19:00-22:00) are 20-minutes slots. But that's moot for us anyway, since we are scheduled to be in Venice in the evening.