Padua

Aerial image of the historical centre of the city of Padua

A short overview of Padua's main attractions, prepared for a couple of friends who were going there, can be useful for someone else too.

Padua is a city in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of Padova province and the economic and communications hub of the province.... More on Wikipedia. Founded in 1183 BC by the Trojan prince Antenor the city was important during the roman empire and gave birth to the historian Livy. In the early middle age, the city was sacked by Huns and Magyars, and was occupied by Goths, Byzantines, Lombards and Franks. At the beginning of the 11th century the citizens established a constitution and Padua become a free "comune" caracterized by continuous fights with the neighbour cities of Vicenza, Verona and Venezia. The city felt first under the control of Verona, and then of Venice, following its destiny during the Austrian occupation until its annexion to the kingdom of Italy. The city's main attractions, displayed in the map, are:

Scrovegni Chapel, with its famous Giotto's fresco. The Scrovegni was a family of bankers (usurers) who, following a common practice at the time, were trying to redeem their souls in the after-life and their reputation in this world, by building churches. The chapel, was part of their palace and was painted by Giotto, probably the most important painter of that period with scenes from the life of Christ

Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, locally called "Il Santo" (the saint) is a huge building dedicated to St Antony of Padua. He was actually from Lisboa, where he is called "St Antony of Lisboa" and in his short life, he died at 36, he made so many miracles that he was made saint immediately after his death.

Prato della Valle, one of the biggest squares in Italy, is a magnificent elliptic structure closed by a channel embellished by a double row of sculptures.

Caffé Pedrocchi, one of the most famous and ancient Café of Europe is located in a fine neoclassical building. Founded in 1772 when the use of coffe was becoming common in Europe, it was open 24/7 until 1916, when the WWI reduced consistently its public of students, artists and intellectuals, moved some hundreds kilometers away to don't come back any more. The Caffé Pedrocchi was a meeting point for the intelligentia of the period, in a city famous for its univeristy.

Palazzo della Ragione, the palace "of the reason" is the city hall, built in the XII and XIII century, is covered by a single large roof designed and realised by a local friar.

The university of Padua, one of the most ancient of Europe host currently more than 65000 students and was for century the only university of the Republic of Venice. Famous is the "anatomic theater, where post mortem examinations where done for the students.

Padua has also a Botanic Garden, an UNESCO world heritage site