The Palace where the Museum is situated is also known abroad, particularly as the house of Pietro Bembo. The professor OlivieroRonchi says that in 1750 Charles Cochin, beloved engraver of Luigi XV and tutor of the Madame Pompadour's brother Francesco de Poisson, after having visited Padova he talked about the Palace with admiration in his memories.
The construction dates back to 1400 when it was born as "Bon Romeo House"; in 1512 it was owned by Bernardo Fortebraccio, leader of the Serenissima. Bembo was interested in this Palace since 1522 and he could finish it in 1527 when it became cultural centre and hangout of the best minds of Padova.
When Bembo died in 1547, the Palace passed as dowry to the daughter who married a member of the Grandenigo family. In 1815 the Farsetti family became the owner and in 1847 the Palace was bought by the Duke Silvestro Camerini (that is the current name of the Palace).
In 1952 it became the location of the Operational Command of the 3rd Army, homonym of the famous 3rd Army of 1915-1918. In 1972 it was replaced by the Anti-aircraft Artillery Command of the Army that is still present with the task of managing the Museum of the 3rd Army.
The Museum aims to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers, provide documentation to scholars, talk about a glorious period in Italian history in order to inspire the population.
Padova was an important centre under the Roman empire; in the city centre, the squares enclosed by arches contrast with the narrow austere streets.