Some information about Padova

Padua is better known as the city of St. Anthony and it is one of the most important art cities in Italy. Founded as a fishermen's village, in the 4th century BC it became the most important centre of the Venetians. Allied to the Romans against the Gauls and since 45 BC a municipium, Patavium was one the most flourishing towns of the Roman Empire. There are few remnants of the Roman Era: the ruins of the great Amphitheatre, some bridges and the precious evidences which are still preserved at the Town Museum.

In 12th century Padua is a free Commune: during the two following centuries it knows a quick development it reaches the height in its political power. This is a period of extraordinary economic and cultural development. There are marks of this in the Mediaeval City Walls, the great civil and religious buildings, the foundation of the University (1222), the second in Italy, which attracts masters and students fro the whole Europe. The panorama is dominated by the figure of Giotto, leaving in Padua his masterpiece, the decoration of the Scrovegni Chapel.

In 1405 Padua is incorporated in the mainland dominions of Venice but the artistic primacy continues with Donatello and Mantegna.

In the 16th century, under the government of the Serene Republic, Padua knows a great renewal: it is surrounded by a ring of walls that establishes its urban shape. New buildings and solemn churches rise up; the University goes through a period of great splendour: Galilei, amongst other, teaches here.

At the end of the 18th century, Padua passes to Austria until the annexation to the Kingdom of Italy (1866). In spite of the destructions due to wars and of some disrespectful of the environmental goods interventions, Padua conserves almost uninjured its unique urban structure: a tangle of narrow streets with arcades and of monumental squares, of humble houses and of imposing buildings. This compact organism guards many wonderful treasures.

Suggested visits:

Palazzo della Ragione

Built in 1218 by the Commune and raised in 1306, in a daring piece of work, by Fra' Giovanni degli Eremitani, who added the loggias and the magnificent keel-shaped roof, it was the seat of the City Courts. The upper floor is occupied by a single hall, one of the largest hanging halls in the world, called the Salone.
The Salone dominates the two large Erbe and Frutta squares, sets of picturesque and busy daily markets.

Scrovegni Chapel

Entirely preserved, the celebrated frescoes by Giotto , the most complete cycle produced by the great Florentine painter (1303-1305), on the greatest monuments of figurative art of all time. In the nearby Town Museum, one can admire more celebrated works of art dating back to the 14th century.

Eremitani Church

Built at the turn of the 13th century, the Augustinian church has a wonderful wooden ceiling, due to Fra' Giovanni, and many monumental tombs.

St. Anthony Basilica

Started immediately after the death of the Santo (1231) and completed at the beginning of the following century, it is an imposing construction in Romanesque-Gothic style, with eight domes and spires of eastern inspiration. It holds the body of St. Anthony and is the object of pilgrimages from all over the world.

Bo Palace

This large group of buildings, erected between 1542 and 1601, around the mediaeval inn of the "Bo" (the Ox), has been rearranged several times and with modern additions from 1920-1940, is the main seat of the University, founded in 1222.
Piazza dei Signori. The large square, seat of a picturesque market, is closed to the western end by the Palazzo del Capitanio (late 16th century), which includes the old Clock Tower, with the great astronomical clock. At the southern end raises the Loggia della Gran Guardia

Prato della Valle

The traditional site for fairs and entertainments (underground the remnants of a Roman theatre) was reclaimed in 1775 by Domenico Cerato, by order of Andrea Memmo. It is a square of great scenographic appearance, decorated by a canal with four bridges and by 78 statues of famous men.

St. Justine Basilica

Imposing church built by the Benedictine friars in 16th century, on the site of early places of cult (it keeps the remains of the old early Christian basilica back to the half of the 6th century).

Botanical Garden

Founded in 1545 as the Simple Garden (medicinal plants) of the Medical Faculty of the University, it is the oldest botanical garden with didactic aim in the world. It holds an extremely important collection of rare plants.

Battistero del Duomo

The Romanesque Baptistery holds the finest cycles of frescoes painted by the Florentine painter Giusto de' Menabuoi in 1375-1378. The cycle begins with the wonderful Paradise and continues with the stories of St. John the Baptist, the Stories of Mary, the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. Round the altar in 43 decorative squares are depicted the events prophetically presented by the Apocalypse of St. John the Evangelist.