Padua is a small Italian town, a real treasury of architectural masterpieces, surrounded by magnificent nature. People have settled here since the 10th century BC. e. In the era of Ancient Rome, the area was inhabited by the Veneti tribes, from which the name of the whole region of Italy came.
In Padua, there will be plenty to keep the enthusiastic art lovers of the Renaissance busy. The entire Scrovegni Chapel is painted with frescoes by the brilliant and talented Giotto, the amazing architecture of the old buildings of the University of Padua is a classic example of the style of construction in the early Renaissance style.
Also, Padua will be interesting for active tourists. Almost 70 km. Cycling and hiking trails are located within the picturesque Euganean Hills Park.
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What to see and where to go in Padua?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Palazzo della Rajone
The palace was built in the XII-XIII centuries. The ceiling frescoes were created by Giotto di Bonde. Unfortunately, these unique murals were destroyed during a roof collapse in the 18th century. Some of the images remained on the walls. The façade of the palazzo is surrounded by long arched galleries, which today house restaurants and shops. Inside the palace, the Stone of Infamy is kept, on which debtors repented during the Middle Ages.
Prato della Valle
The area is considered the largest in Italy, it covers an area of 90 thousand square meters. In 1636, a theater building was erected here for impromptu battles and horse races. At the end of the 18th century, it was decided to transform this area and turn it into a recreational area for the inhabitants of Padua. By that time, the city had already grown enough; palaces and city mansions stood around the future square.
Signoria Square
Piazza is located in the historic center of Padua. Until the XIV century, there was a whole residential quarter in its place. In the Middle Ages, musical performances and theatrical performances were often given here for the entertainment of the townspeople. The square is home to the picturesque Captain's Palace with a tall clock tower from the 16th century. The graceful astronomical dial shows the date and time. It is believed that the tower clock is one of the very first chronometers in Italy.
University of Padua
For the first time, the educational institution is mentioned in the documents of the XIII century. Active development began in the 15th century, when several new buildings were built. With the onset of the Renaissance, the university became an important center of secular science. Astronomy, medicine, law were taught here. Galileo himself lectured at the university. In 1556, a new building was built for the educational institution - the Palazzo del Bo, which became a classic architectural monument of the Renaissance.
Zuckermann Palace
The Zuckermann Palace houses the city's Museum of Applied Arts. Here you can see collections of antique jewelry, weapons, stone and metal products, 18th century furniture, ceramics and medieval clothing. The exposition does not tell about any specific historical epoch, you can even notice that the objects are arranged somewhat chaotically. The building itself is a small three-story mansion.
Basilica of Santa Justina
The basilica was erected on the burial place of the Christian martyr Justina of Padua. Since the 6th century, a church has stood on this place. The modern temple appeared in the 16th century. The building is built in the form of a cross 122 meters long and 82 meters wide. Inside there are the burials of several Christian saints, the grave of Justina is located above the main altar, which was painted by the master P. Veronese. The relics of St. Luke are also kept on the territory of the basilica.
Basilica of St. Anthony
One of the largest churches in Padua, built in the 13th century. Construction began 19 years after the death of St. Anthony of Padua. Initially, the chapel of the dark Madonna was erected over the saint's grave; after the construction of the basilica, it ended up inside the temple. In the square in front of the entrance, there is a statue of Gattamelata (one of the rulers of Padua) by Giotto. A large number of pilgrims visit the church every year.
Cathedral of Padua
The Cathedral is already the third temple built in the center of Padua. The first church of the 6th century stood until 1117. The second building - until the first half of the 16th century. The construction of the third cathedral was carried out according to the plan of Michelangelo Buanarotti and lasted for about 200 years. Next to the temple there is a baptistery richly painted with frescoes on the themes of the suffering of Christ and the Last Judgment, popular at that time.
Scrovegni Chapel
A modest church, behind the facade of which hides the greatest cultural treasure of mankind - the original frescoes of the incomparable Giotto di Bonde from the beginning of the 14th century. They are considered one of the main works of art in Western Europe. The images of the Doomsday fresco occupy the entire inner wall of the main facade. The rest of the walls are painted with stories on the theme of the Nativity of Christ and the worship of the Magi, the Nativity of the Virgin, Epiphany, the Last Supper and other biblical stories.
Eremitani Church
The church is located near the Scrovegni Chapel. The building was erected at the end of the 13th century. The interior painting was created by masters A. da Forli, A. Mantegna and Guariento. The temple and monastery were built by Augustinian monks who preached a hermitic lifestyle. The monastery existed until the 19th century, when Napoleon Bonaparte set up his barracks here.
Eremitani City Museum
The museum complex, which includes a pinakothek and an archaeological exhibition. It houses sculptures, coin collections, dishes and other archaeological finds, as well as an impressive collection of paintings by famous painters. In the Pinakothek, you can admire the works of Tintoretto, Giotto, Titian, Tiepolo and Bellini. The archaeological department displays exhibits from various periods of Padua's existence.
Cafe Pedrocchi
The historic cafe has been operating since 1831. Ever since its opening, its distinctive feature has been the absence of entrance doors and round-the-clock operation. Pedrocchi's very first coffee shop opened in 1772. At the turn of the 19th century, Bergamo's heir Pedrocchi began to develop a whole coffee business and began building a new cafe with its own bakery, which has survived to this day.
Villa Contarini
Country villa of the 16th century, built for the Contarini brothers - representatives of the Venetian aristocracy. Previously, hunting grounds were located in this place. The building is surrounded by a large park with an area of 40 hectares, where there are stocked lakes and walkways. The architectural ensemble of the villa was significantly expanded during the Baroque era. V. Scamozzi and B. Longena worked on the decoration of the facade.
Botanical Garden of Padua
The botanical garden was created in the 16th century during the heyday of the Venetian Republic. It is considered the oldest in the world; original plantings are still preserved on its territory. The garden belongs to the University of Padua. At first, medicinal plants were grown in it, from which students made various drugs. But gradually the garden's collection was replenished with plants brought by Venetian merchants from long voyages. In 1997, the Botanical Garden of Padua was included in the UNESCO lists.
Euganean Hills Regional Park
Natural park, on the territory of which the resorts of Montegrotto Terme and Abano are located. Also within the park there is the medieval estate of Arqua Petrarca, the town of Monselice and the Abbazia di Pralha monastery.The area is remarkable for its amazing beauty and tranquility of landscapes. Vineyards and orchards grow on the hillsides. You can walk, cycle or drive in the park.
