Padua
1h5
2h
Padua is a jewel of art, where amusement and culture join together
Waking a walk along the streets of the town always arouses wonders: the Basilica of St. Anthony, patron of the town, the Chapel of Scrovegni displaying precious paintings by Giotto, the museums, the ancient churches and the charming squares, they are all places to be visited. Nature lovers cannot miss a visit to the Orto Botanico (Botanical Gardens) where rare and old plants are to be admired. Among all, just a mention to the Palm of St. Peter which dates back to 1585, year of the opening of the gardens. In the Archaelogical Museum you can breath the air of ancient art: pre-Roman and Roman finds, Venetic steles and Egyptian treasures are displayed. Same air also to be breathed in the Roman amphitheatre, where once gladiatorial performances were held. It was destroyed almost totally in the Middle Age when its materials were taken away and used to erect other buildings. The museum of medieval and modern art offers a general view on the Venetian painting: the Cross by Giotto, the paintings by Tintoretto and by Tiepolo, they are just some of the unique masterpieces displayed there.
The Palace of Reason is considered the “salon” of the inhabitants of Padua. It takes its name from the fact that its upper floor is constituted by one huge hall only. The Palace dates back to 1218 and in its interior you can admire late Gothic frescoes painted on an original fresco by Giotto, destroyed by a fire in 1420. The Palace looks on Piazza delle Erbe e Frutta seat of the traditional open-air daily market. Padua is a modern and lively town with shops and interesting meeting places. It is destination of the young from Italy and abroad who attend its university founded in the thirteenth century and linked to prestigious names such as Copernicus and Galileo whose desk has been preserved till today. While visiting Padua it is not be missed a walk in Prato della Valle, a square-garden with 78 statues performing the fame of the town and standing along a canal with running water. As well, not to be missed a cup of coffee to be taken at Caffè Pedrocchi, the so-called cafè without doors, still today one of the most popular meeting places of the town.
General information
Excursion Type
cultural, sightseeing
Activity Level
intermediate
Duration
whole day