Opening hours in padua attractions. The best attractions of Padua with photos and descriptions

The most popular attractions of Padua (Italy). Guide "What to see in the city of Padua on your own in one day." Scrovegni Chapel with frescoes by Giotto, arena, university, the largest square in Italy, Galileo Galilei

Located north of the Euganean Hills, Padua (Italy) arose and developed in the Brenta and Bacchiglione river basins, which was reflected in the development and general appearance of the city, attractions, the presence of numerous canals and the development of river tourism. The city received its name from St. Anthony of Padua, whose relics are kept in the Basilica of San Antonio and are an object of pilgrimage for Christians from all over the world.

Historians, based on archaeological excavations, date the founding of the city to 1185 BC, which makes Padua the oldest city in the Veneto province and one of the oldest cities in Italy. The architecture and historical and cultural heritage of Padua reflect the various eras of its rich past with events and famous people.

The city's canals were the basis of the economy of medieval Padua, thanks to the presence of a large number of mills, as well as direct access by water to Venice - the journey along the Brenta River took just over three hours. Due to the fact that the city is located in the Padua Lowland (pianura Padana) and is below sea level, a system of canals and rivers protects the city from floods to this day.

What to see in Padua, you ask?
In Padua it is easy to find numerous evidence that the city has been one of the European cultural centers for centuries: the Roman arena, frescoes by Giotto and other masters, medieval towers, palaces, churches and other architectural monuments are found everywhere here.

Sections of the city walls, which for centuries protected Padua from outside dangers, have also been preserved here. Today, some sections of the ancient walls are organically integrated into the architecture of modern buildings. Another highlight of Padua are the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, neoclassical and modern porticos that the locals are proud of. Entire arcades of porticos, about 12 km long, give tourists the opportunity to walk along the streets of the historical part of the city even in rainy weather.

Bird's eye view of Prato della Valle in Padua. Photo http://www.volarelontano.it

Another place that you should definitely visit while walking around Padua is the Botanical Garden, founded in the 16th century.

Padua is a famous center of religious tourism. Here you will find Gothic churches, an abbey with Christian relics, churches, chapels and basilicas, as well as a synagogue.

Among the city's museums, it is especially worth noting the Eremitani complex with a multimedia hall, where a virtual tour of Giotto's frescoes is demonstrated; Archaeological Museum with pre-Roman, Roman, Greek, Etruscan and Italian exhibits; Museum of Medieval and Modern Art with works by Titian, Tiepolo, Giotto, Veronese and others.

Scrovegni Chapel and frescoes by Giotto in Padua

The Scrovegni Chapel (also known as the Arena) is a place of worship for Catholics located in the historical center of Padua. Initially, the Arena was connected to the Scrovegni Palace - the home of a banker who wanted to build a chapel. However, after the purchase of the Chapel by the municipality in 1881, it was made a separate building and was restored several times. The Chapel is famous for its cycle of frescoes by Giotto (early 14th century), which are among the world's masterpieces of art. Work on the restoration of the frescoes took decades, after which a special room was added to the Chapel building, where visitors in groups of 25 people had to stay for only 15 minutes. This measure is necessary in order to minimize the entry of dust and moisture into the chapel, which could damage Giotto's frescoes.

Inside the Scrovegni Chapel

The painting of the Chapel del Arena (the unofficial name of the Scrovegni Chapel) in Padua is truly magnificent - in 15 minutes a person looks through the entire story in chronological order from the expulsion of the childless Joachim from the temple (the grandfather of Jesus Christ), from the birth of Mary (the mother of Jesus Christ) to the crucifixion and resurrection on sky.

Scrovegni Chapel (del Arena) from the outside. Photo http://mapio.net

In 2006, the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua was nominated for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Frescoes by Giotto in the Scrovegni Chapel according to the list

• Expulsion of Joachim from the Temple
• Joachim finds refuge among the shepherds
• Annunciation to Saint Anne
• Sacrifice of St. Joachim
• Dream of St. Joachim
• Meeting of St. Joachim and St. Anne at the Golden Gate in Jerusalem
• Birth of Mary
• Presentation of Mary into the Temple
• Transfer of the staff of St. Simeon
• Prayer for the flowering of one of the staffs
• Marriage of Mary
• Mary's wedding procession
• God the Father instructs Archangel Gabriel to bring the good news to Mary
• Annunciation
• Meeting of Mary and Elizabeth
• Christmas
• Adoration of the Magi
• Presentation of Jesus into the Temple
• Flight to Egypt
• Massacre of the innocents
• Jesus among the teachers
• Baptism of Jesus
• Marriage in Cana of Galilee
• Raising Lazarus
• Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem
• Expulsion of traders from the temple
• Judas receives payment for betrayal
• last supper
• Washing the feet
• Kiss of Judas
• Jesus before Caiaphas
• Crowning with a crown of thorns
• Climbing Golgotha
• Crucifixion
• Entombment
• Resurrection
• Ascension
• Descent of the Holy Spirit
• Allegories of Virtues and Prophets

You need to book tickets to the Scrovegni Chapel at least 1 day before your visit. Ticket price is €12. Book your tickets on the official website https://cappelladegliscrovegni.vivaticket.it/

Arena in Padua

Why does the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua have the unofficial name Capella del Arena? This is because on its territory there is a Roman amphitheater from the reign of Emperor Augustus (27 BC). Archaeologists discovered the Roman arena quite by accident in the 17th century and carried out excavations for two years - from 1880 to 1881 and from 1906 to 1907.

Remains of the arena in Padua

The Arena in Padua is an elliptical structure with 80 arches and dimensions of 135 meters along the main axis and 98 meters along the minor axis. According to the hypothesis of archaeologists, the arena is made of Tuscan trachyte, and the flooring was made of red marble brought from Verona.

Remains of the arena in Padua. Photo http://www.padovaoggi.it

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely reconstruct the Arena in today's urban environment, since the size of the arena extends beyond the park fence onto Corso Garibaldi.

Plan of the Arena in Padua. The plan shows the location of Corso Garibaldi and the Scrovegni Chapel. Photo http://www.archeoveneto.it

Prato della Valle, Padua - the largest square in Italy

During the Roman Empire, on the site of the modern square there was a Roman amphitheater with a capacity of 6,500 people. The existence of the amphitheater was witnessed by the Paduan orator, philosopher and writer Publio Clodio Trasea Peto (1 AD - 66 AD). From his essays, it became clear to historians that the amphitheater was called Zairo and was built in 60 AD. and was equal in size to the Arena in Verona. In 1775, the ruins of an arena were discovered on the square and could be seen until the beginning of the 19th century. Subsequently, the ruins were dismantled for the construction of nearby structures.

Prato della Valle square. Photo http://www.immaginarte.org

The square contains 78 statues of famous Padua residents and visitors, including Galileo Galilei, Titus Livius, Francesco Petrarca and Pietro d'Abano.

The square is the largest in Italy and one of the largest in Europe.

University of Padua

Padua is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, founded back in 1222 thanks to the migration here of a group of medieval students from Bologna.

Inner courtyard of the University of Palazzo del Bo

At the university in 1594, the first anatomical theater in Europe was built, designed for 300 seats and consisting of six elliptical wooden tiers. From 1592 to 1610 Galileo Gallilei taught physics to students at the university.

In the heart of the university, in Palazzo Bo, in almost every room on the walls and ceilings you can see the coats of arms of noble families and rectors.

Coats of arms of families of teachers and outstanding students at the university

Today, the State University of Padova has 8 schools, 32 departments and more than 60,000 students. The structure of the University includes the Galilean School of Higher Educational Institutions, a network of libraries and museums. From 2001 to 2007, the University was annually recognized as the best in the ranking of Italian universities. The main areas of study are: economics, law and political science, agriculture and veterinary medicine, medicine and surgery, cultural studies.

Cathedral (Basilica) of St. Antonio in Padua

The Cathedral of St. Anthony or Church del Santo has been the main place of Catholic worship in the city since the 4th century to this day. And although the current building is “younger” - it was founded in the 16th century, Michelangelo Buonarroti himself took part in its construction. For hundreds of years, the heads of the Council were called "little popes" and were among the richest and most influential people in the state. The interior of the Cathedral is harmoniously divided into three aisles, above the central one there are two large domes, and chapels are located along the side aisles. The Cathedral has a music chapel where organ concerts are given.

Cathedral of St. Anthony in Padua. To the right is a bronze monument to Gattamelata, the Venetian commander.

The Cathedral of St. Anthony is the most important site in Padua for pilgrims from all over the world. In the cathedral there is the tomb of the miracle worker and it is to it that huge masses of Catholics from all continents flock.

Cathedral of St. Anthony in Padua.

What is Saint Anthony famous for?

Saint Anthony was a preacher from God. His sermons “Sunday Sermons” and “Sermons on Holidays” expounded the doctrine of Catholicism so deeply that the people fell in love with him incredibly much. Once, in 1231, over 30 thousand people gathered for his sermon, many of whom subsequently converted to the faith. The city of San Antonio in the USA is named in his honor.

The Chapel of San Giorgio and the Scuola del Santo are places where, after the death of Saint Anthony, the next generation of preachers studied his works

Saint Anthony of Padua believed that there could be nothing more beautiful than death for the faith. One day, inspired by the martyrdom of five Franciscan acquaintances in Morocco, Antonio went to Africa to fulfill his dream of preaching Christianity to Muslims. However, in Africa, the preacher became seriously ill and was forced to return to his homeland, but not to his own, but to his new homeland, Italy. The fact is that his ship was wrecked off the coast of Sicily and Anthony took this as a sign from God and remained in Italy until his death.

Palazzo della Ragione, Padua

The Palace of Justice, Palazzo della Ragione, erected in 1206 and was used as the courthouse and financial institutions of Padua.

Palazzo della Ragione in Padua. Photo https://it.pinterest.com/

On the upper tier there is one single room, which is considered the largest “suspended” room in the world - 81 meters long, 27 meters high and wide. Inside you can find paintings by various 13th century fresco artists, including frescoes by Giotto. The frescoes mainly have an astrological motif, based on the research of Pietro d'Abano.

The largest hanging room in the world.

On the northern and southern sides of the Palazzo della Ragione there are the Herb and Fruit squares - Piazza del Erbe and Piazza del Frutta. On the western side of the palace is Piazza del Signori with a tower on which there is an astronomical clock from the 14th century. Markets are held in the squares every day. Under the porticoes of the Palazzo della Ragione, every day except Sunday there are shops with typical farm products of the Veneto region - meat, cheeses, wine, fish, honey.

Famous people of Padua

For centuries, Padua was famous for its freedom of thought, which attracted Protestants, great scientists, thinkers and philosophers. The city walls witnessed speeches and debates with the participation of Leon Battista Alberti, Galileo Galilei, Niccolo Copernicus, Hugo Amaldi, Francesco Bonatelli, William Shakespeare, Dante Alighieri, Francesco Petrarca, Arrigo Boito, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Donatello, Rinaldo Rinaldi, Giotto and other famous personalities.

Donatello

Italian sculptor, painter, jeweler Donatello is recognized as one of the three “fathers” of the Florentine Renaissance and the most famous sculptor of all time. From 1443, for ten years, Donatello lived and worked in Padua, and it was this period that is considered the apogee of his work. Donatello became the founder of individualized sculptural portraits and adhered to realistic and classical styles in his works.

In Padua he created his masterpieces: reliefs for the altar of Santo, the “Crucifixion of the Basilica del Santo”, bronze bas-reliefs for the Church of St. Anthony, the sculpture of St. John the Baptist, etc.

Galileo Galilei

Philosopher and mathematician, astronomer and physicist, one of the founders of modern science - Galileo Galilei lived for a long time in Padua. The mild climate, relative religious tolerance, and good relationships with philosophers and scientists made Galileo’s work productive during the “Paduan period.” Here he moved among the scientific luminaries of the time, communicated with the theologian and mathematician Paolo Sarpi, and also met Giovan Francesco Sagredo, whom he later made the main character of his “Dialogue on Higher Systems.”

Of primary importance are Galileo's contributions to the theory of dynamics, his support of the Copernican theory, the development of the principles of the heliocentric system, the improvement of the telescope, and the introduction of the scientific method.

Observatory at the University of Padua, where Galileo Galilei conducted research on the stars

Padua in photos

There are quite a lot of attractions in Padua and they cannot be described in one article. Therefore, I invite you to admire the city of Padua in photographs.

View of Prato della Valle from the Basilica of San Antonio
Echoes of Venetian rule. Such faces are found quite often.

Church of Santa Giustina, 17th century.
Museum of Saints. At the end of the street is the Botanical Garden.
Duomo Cathedral and Baptistery. Construction of the 4th century.

How to get to Padua

“How to get to Padua” is one of the most popular questions in the Google and Yandex search engines. Public transport in Padua is a separate topic for discussion, since the system is very well established. By bus and metrobus (something between a tram and a bus) you can get to any part of the city and surrounding areas for just €1.25. There are parking lots in the city, but not as much as we would like. Many parking lots in Padua are paid, the cost varies from 1 euro per hour and more.

Metrobus in Padua at the Prato della Valle stop. Photo http://www.psc.it

Trains are the most convenient way to get to Padua, as the city is a major railway hub. In the city center there is a railway station, where not only Italian, but also international trains arrive.

Venice - Padua (from €3), Padua - Verona (from €6), Milan - Padua (from €19), Bologna - Padua (from €7), Padua - Florence (from €13), Vienna - Padua (from €20) is a small list of train destinations. You can get to these cities directly from the station and without a transfer. Train tickets to Padua can be purchased directly at the stations at the ticket office or at automatic terminals. There, at the station, you can see the train schedule.

Find out here or back by train, bus, taxi or transfer.

There is also an airport in the city of Padua, but it is intended only for training purposes and flights of private aircraft.

Listen, Allah. We’ve been in Italy for 7 days now, and so far we haven’t come across a single Italian waving his arms and telling a woman “Bellisomo!” Where is the Italian complacency and gallantry? Where are the men who are ready to treat us to a cup of coffee and not demand anything in return? Where where??

I was so upset that I did not notice the man who ran up to us and began to actively gesticulate. He tried to explain what he wanted, we had difficulty understanding his speech. I thought I heard “belissimo” in almost every sentence. And I wasn’t wrong! A couple of minutes later, I clearly heard this desired word addressed to us, and we were instantly dragged into a cafe, where we were treated to aromatic coffee.

This is how Padua greeted us. Less than 10 minutes had passed since we set foot on Padua soil, and I immediately had 2 of my cherished wishes come true.

It so happened that, unlike a 3-day trip to the sights of Padua, we only had one day planned. And we tried not to lose a single precious second. After talking with the long-awaited Italian over a cup of coffee, we immediately rushed to explore the city.

If you decide to go to Padua on your own and not for 1 day, we recommend staying at a hotel Hotel M14. It is located in the city center, a 5-minute walk from St. Anthony's Basilica.

Tram on tires

The first thing we came across was a hitherto unknown vehicle. Hybrid of trolleybus and tram. Upon closer examination, it turned out that he does not ride as and where he wants, but on rails specially laid for him. More precisely, a rail. One rail!

We studied and studied architectural monuments before the trip, and the monorail tram, moving with the help of an air cushion, turned out to be a complete surprise for us. La tranvia di Padova - the only such tram on tires in Italy was launched in 2007.

If you will be in Padua for 2 days or more, we recommend buying a Padova Cart immediately at the station for 48 hours for 16 euros or for 72 hours for 21 euros.

With this ticket you can visit 10 of Padua's main monuments for free, travel for free on public transport and get many, many more delicious discounts.

Scrovegni Chapel

So, we didn’t have a tourist ticket, so we rushed to explore the city on foot. And our first point was (also called Capella del Arena) and Musei Civico Eremitani.

The architect of the church was Fra Giovanni or the great Giotto himself. The builder did not bother with the elegance of the form and made the church in the form of a rectangle measuring 20 by 9 meters with one nave and an altar apse.

The church, first of all, became famous thanks to the fresco cycle by Giotto. The cycle of proto-Renaissance frescoes of the chapel is Giotto's key work. It is also one of the main works of Western art.

We were advised to book a ticket in advance, they scared us that we wouldn’t be able to get through just like that and would have to stand in a long line. We didn’t listen and... ended up straight into the chapel! Maybe it was a miracle or a siesta, but there was no queue, and we calmly studied the frescoes in the cool chapel.

If you still get stuck in a queue and will only be able to get through in a couple of hours, then you can go to the National Museum of Applied Arts. It is located opposite the chapel in the Zuckerman Palace.

You can also visit another museum, Civico Eremitani, where you will find Egyptian exhibits. The museum is located 100 meters from the chapel. And in the Pinacoteca on the second floor of the museum there are works by Italian artists Tintoretto, Tiepolo, Titian.

A ticket to the chapel costs 12 euros. The ticket price includes the Museum of Applied Arts and the Civico Eremitani Museum.

The museum staff is extremely helpful. So we wanted to see two paintings by Titian. And they overlooked it. As in many museums, the direction of viewing the exhibition is only in one direction - forward. In the opposite direction, returning to previous halls is prohibited. We were upset, but still approached the caretaker.

According to Russian habit, we expected to hear grumbling and a ban, but we were amazed: the woman smiled, spoke sympathetically, then asked us not to go anywhere, brought a museum worker, who escorted us to the room with Titian. She delicately stood aside and let her enjoy it. We are grateful to her... but we expected something else. The masterpiece was not recognized. Let's confess. We repent. They clicked their tongues for decency, and, accompanied by a happy woman, returned to their hall.

Incredible! She was happy to help us. When will such workers appear in our museums?!!

Further our path ran to Palazzo della Ragione. Palace of Reason or Palace of Justice. It stands between the Piazza dei Frutti and the Piazza delle Erbe and is itself now part of the extensive Paduan market.

The palace can be immediately recognized by its roof. It is made in the shape of an inverted ship hull. A very unusual design for a palace built in the early 14th century. It somehow reminded us of the designer buildings in .

The uniqueness of the palace is its large meeting hall, which was built without additional supports! Another architectural miracle of the Middle Ages.

The walls of the palace are painted with more than 500 frescoes from the 15th century. Under the dome of the hall you can see the Foucault pendulum.

Next to the palace is one of the oldest universities in Europe and Italy, the University of Padua. Due to the limited amount of time allotted to Padua, we did not visit the university. But we went to the botanical garden of the university. It is located near the Basilica of St. Anthony.

Padua Cathedral

Evening was approaching, and we wanted to get to 2 more cathedrals before closing. The first of them is the Duomo di Padova Cathedral. Its other name is the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

Unfortunately, it will no longer be possible to see the original structure of the 4th century. And the second one too. Now we see the third construction of the cathedral. The first two were destroyed. Outwardly, he looks unremarkable. But inside everything is much more interesting!

To the right of the cathedral is the baptistery, which contains frescoes from the 14th century.

Basilica of St. Anthony

Then our route followed to the heart of the city - (Basilica Pontificia di Sant "Antonio di Padova). We thought to see a small church, but the basilica turned out to be a giant cathedral. Incredible, stunning, indescribable beauty!

Finding yourself next to this monumental building, you understand why the basilica is one of the four Italian churches that are the property of the Vatican State and are under its jurisdiction. Although it is not called a cathedral, the church is able to receive more visitors than any other cathedral in the city.

Attention women! To enter any Catholic churches, always carry a shoulder cape. Summer, sun, heat. Many people walk around the city in tourist clothes such as a T-shirt and shorts. It is easier for men to go to church in such a suit. Women will definitely be wrapped up. If you can still get through in shorts (it all depends on the length, it’s better to cover your knees), then you won’t get through with bare shoulders. Therefore, a cape is required.

I didn’t know this and the security didn’t let me in. Frustrated, I went to photograph the sculpture of the copper equestrian Venetian condottiere Gattamelata by Donatello. It stands in all its glory to the left of the church.

But I still managed to get inside. After taking a walk, Alla left the church and gave me her cape. The inside of the church amazed me. She turned out to be huge and very beautiful. Even St. Peter's Basilica in Rome did not make such a strong impression on me.

Prato della Valle Square

There were still a few hours left before the train and we rushed to inspect the next architectural masterpiece. It turned out to be Prato della Valle - one of the most beautiful squares in Europe and the largest in Italy.

The square is the green island of Isola Memmia. The configuration of the square is elliptical; around the central part there is a canal with sculptures of Paduan famous people. The first statue was installed in 1775, and the last in 1833.

The small Italian town of Padua has undeservedly found itself in the shadow of its more famous neighbors - Venice and Verona. And in vain, because its ancient history, unique monuments of architecture and art, famous citizens who lived and worked here are worthy of getting to know them better.

Briefly about Padua

Padua is located in northeastern Italy, 10 km from the Euganean Hills, 20 km from the Venetian Lagoon and 37 km from Venice. This is one of the cultural and economic centers of the country; here is the famous University of Padua - one of the oldest in Europe. The city lies on a plain between the Bacchiglione and Brenta rivers. Its territory occupies 92 km 2, and the population according to 2014 data was 210,890 people.

Padua is located on a plain between the Bacchiglione and Brenta rivers, in northeastern Italy.

This is a very ancient city, which grew from a fishing village in the 4th century BC. e. and became the center of the Veneto region. But a settlement appeared on this site in the 11th–10th centuries BC. e., as evidenced by archaeological excavations. The Paduans themselves believe that the city was founded by Prince Antenor, who escaped after the destruction of Troy and found refuge on the swampy bank of the Po River, where he founded the village. The new settlement was named Patavius. The Veneti lived on its territory, and the area later became known as Venetia.

The Paduans consider Prince Antenor, who escaped after the fall of Troy, to be the founder of the city.

In the 2nd century BC. e. the city became a municipality, received self-government rights and grew into a significant center of Upper Italy and an important transport hub. This time marked the heyday of Padua, which lasted until the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Then the city experienced a series of conquests and destruction, but by the beginning of the 12th century it received municipal self-government, becoming a free city-state. The University of Padua was founded here in 1222.

Since the end of the 12th century, Padua changed hands more than once, was drawn into internecine wars, and was subordinate to the Scala and Carraresi families. In 1405, the city became part of the Venetian Republic, lost its independence and political significance, but became an educational center. A new stage of conquest began after the collapse of the Venetian Republic. Since the 18th century, Padua could not be divided between Austria and the Kingdom of Italy. In 1866, together with Venice, the city was finally transferred to Italy.

Padua is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe

Now Padua is a famous university center, proud of its medieval architecture and famous fellow citizens: the artist Giotto, the scientist Avicenna, the philosopher Averroes. The relics of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, kept in the Cathedral of the Holy Martyr Justina, also gave the city fame. Apostle Luke and Saint Anthony are the heavenly patrons of Padua.

How to get there

There is no passenger airport in Padua, so you will have to travel by plane through neighboring cities. However, the proximity of Venice makes the city accessible to any type of transport:

• By plane you should fly to Venice, Rimini or Milan. The nearest airport is Marco Polo in Venice;
• The train station is located 1 km from the city center. All trains on the route Milan - Venice - Bologna go to Padua. From Venice the trip will take 25–30 minutes and cost 8–13 euros;
• Regular SITA buses from Venice depart from Piazzale Boschetti, 0.5 km from the train station. Travel time will take 45–60 minutes, the fare will be 3–7 euros;
• By car, take the A4 motorway from Milan and Venice and the A13 from Bologna and southern Italy.

Sights of Padua

A tour of the city should begin from the center, where all the main attractions are located within walking distance of each other.

The largest square in Italy and one of the largest in Europe - Prato della Valle - is located in the south of the historical center of the city. It occupies almost 90 thousand m2 and has a regular elliptical shape. The name of the square means “meadow in the valley.”

Prato della Valle is the main and most unusual square of Padua

The huge green island is surrounded by a canal with 4 bridges across it. There is a fountain in the center, and along the water there are 78 monuments to famous people who have ever lived in Padua: architects, doctors, scientists, artists, politicians. The date of installation of the first sculpture is 1175, and the last one is 1833. The square acquired its current appearance at the end of the 18th century thanks to the Venetian governor Andrea Memmo.

Prato della Valle is surrounded by a canal, along the banks of which there are statues of famous citizens

At various times, the square served as a Roman theater, a cattle market, a place for church processions, fairs and city meetings, horse racing, exhibitions and festivals. The perimeter of the territory is framed by ancient mansions, among which the Zacco Palace with a wide portico and arches, the Amulea Loggia, the Basilica of St. Anthony, and the Abbey of Santa Giustina (Justina) stand out.

The impressive cross-shaped building is 122 m long and 82 m wide. An 82-meter bell tower rises above the domes. This is one of the most revered churches of Padua and all of Italy - it houses the relics of St. Luke the Evangelist, which pilgrims from all over the country come to venerate.

Under the altar are buried the relics of the Holy Great Martyr Justina, whose name the basilica bears. Justina was baptized by the first bishop of Padua, Proscodymus, suffered a lot for her faith during the persecution of Christians and was killed in 304 under Emperor Maximilian with a blow to the chest.

Basilica of Santa Giustina - one of the most revered churches in Italy

The first building was erected in the 12th century, only the foundation remains. Construction of the modern basilica began in 1530 and lasted almost a hundred years. The main Renaissance style is complemented by Byzantine elements. In the 16th century, nine domes were installed on the basilica. The seven bells of the temple have a surprisingly clear sound; the last of them was cast in the second half of the 20th century.

The Basilica of Santa Giustina houses the relics of St. Luke the Evangelist, St. Prosdocius and the Great Martyr Justina.

The paintings of the choir and altar are by Paolo Veronese. Visitors can see his painting “The Torment of Saint Justina,” where the great martyr is depicted with a sword in her chest. The basilica contains the relics of another saint - Prosdocius.

Address: Via Giuseppe Ferrari, 2A.

The basilica, dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Anthony, is the architectural dominant and the largest church in Padua. It was built in the 13th century in the Baroque style on the square named after the saint. He lived in Padua for only two years, and after his death he was canonized and buried here. It is believed that his relics have healing powers.

The Basilica of St. Anthony, dedicated to Italy's most revered saint, is the largest church in Padua

Anthony is the most revered saint of Italy, the patron saint of the poor, children and travelers. The entire wall near his grave is covered with gold hearts on satin ribbons, notes and photographs. This is how Italians thank Saint Anthony for healing or ask him for help.

Over the modest chapel with his ashes, construction of the temple began in 1235, which lasted 66 years. The building turned out to be unique: gigantic in size, many extensions, complex layout and a mixture of styles. The huge domes are made in the Byzantine style, and the bells located around them resemble minarets, which gives the basilica a resemblance to a mosque.

Great Italian artists took part in the painting of the cathedral

Inside there are several courtyards, the interiors were painted by Altichiero da Zevio, Jacopo Avanzo, Stefano da Ferrara, Girolamo Tessari. The frescoes of the chapel of St. James at the temple are of great artistic value. The altar of the basilica is decorated with statues by Donatello. In front of the temple there is an equestrian monument of his own work to the condottiere Erasmo da Narni, nicknamed Gattamelata. The remains of the Venetian commander are also buried in the basilica.

In front of the basilica there is a monument to the commander Erasmo da Narni by Donatello

Address: Piazza del Santo, 11. Opening hours: from 9:00 to 18:00 daily, break from 13:00 to 14:00. The entrance is free.

The modest building of the chapel, built at the beginning of the 14th century, is decorated from the inside with frescoes by Giotto, covering the walls from floor to ceiling in three tiers. For his time, the artist’s works had a revolutionary significance - he gave biblical characters humanity, which was unthinkable in the Middle Ages.

The modest-looking building of the Scrovegni Chapel hides real treasures inside - frescoes by Giotto

The paintings are based on biblical scenes, including the Last Supper, the Last Judgment, the worship of the Magi, the birth of the Virgin Mary, allegories of vices and virtues. Many of the original frescoes have survived to this day in good condition, but fluctuations in temperature and changes in humidity threaten their safety. You can enter the chapel for 15 minutes and only as part of a guided tour.

Frescoes by Giotto cover the walls of the chapel in three tiers from floor to ceiling

Initially, the church was named in honor of St. Mary the Merciful, but later inherited the name of its creator, Enrico Scrovegni, who gave it to the townspeople to atone for the sins of his father, who was convicted of usury.

Address: Piazza Eremitani, 8. Opening hours: from 9:00 to 19:00. Visiting in groups.

The Catholic Cathedral (Duomo di Padova) - the main temple of the city - is called the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The existing building is the third in a row. The first was built in the 4th century and destroyed by an earthquake in 1117. The cathedral was rebuilt in the Romanesque style; its image can be seen on the frescoes of Giusto de Menabuoi, preserved in the 12th century baptistery adjacent to the temple.

The cathedral took more than two hundred years to build, but the facade was never completed

The modern building was built in the Renaissance style according to the design of Andrea della Valle and Agostino Righetto. There is a version that Michelangelo himself supervised the creation of the cathedral. Construction began in 1551 and lasted more than two hundred years - until 1754. However, the façade was never completed. Now it looks like a blank brick wall. But this does not detract from the merits of the temple - it is much more beautiful inside than outside.

The main shrine of the temple is the relics of St. Gregorio Barbarigo

Two chapels are attached to the main building: the Madonna of Miracles with an altar of the 17th century and the Holy Sacrament with paintings of religious subjects and a gilded wooden altar. The cathedral houses a copy of the Byzantine icon of the Virgin and Child from the 15th century. Unfortunately, the original was lost. The relics of Saint Gregorio Barbarigo, the patron saint of widows and orphans, are also buried here.

Address: Piazza Duomo. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday - from 07:30 to 12:00 and from 15:45 to 19:00; on Sundays and holidays - from 07:45 to 13:00 and from 13:45 to 20:30.

Three squares

In the center of Padua there are three squares, separated by the grandiose building of the Palace of Reason - Palazzo della Ragione:

• Fruit Square (Piazza della Frutta);
• Greengrocers Square (Piazza delle Erbe);
• Senior Square (Piazza dei Signori).

The pulse of the city beats here, and life does not subside from morning to evening.

For many centuries, the Square of Herbs, or Greengrocers, together with the Square of Fruits, was the shopping center of the city. Depending on what was sold here, at different times it was called Grain Square and Vin Square. Trade in fruits, vegetables and flowers here is in full swing on weekdays even now.

Piazza delle Erbe is the former shopping center of the city, where traders of vegetables, fruits and flowers still set up their tents in the mornings.

The square began to take shape in the 10th–11th centuries. Back then it had no specialization: the local shops sold whatever your heart desired. After the construction of the Palace of Reason in the 13th century, only iron, wine, grain, leather and jewelry were allowed to be traded there. In the 18th century, the southern side was brought to a unified style by adding covered galleries to the ancient houses, and the Palazzo delle Debite was erected on the site of the prison in the western part. In 1930, a fountain was installed on the square, which became the newest attraction. Not far from it there is an arch called the Vault of the Whip, where offenders used to be punished with a rope whip. Behind it begins Fruit Square.

In the old days, the square was called Piazza del Peronio - Shoemaker's Square. Shoemakers and shoemakers sold their products here, and now they sell meat, fish, game, eggs, vegetables, fruits and spices. Clothing fairs are sometimes held.

On the square is the building of the city hall (Palazzo Comunale) with the Tower of the Elders attached to it, built in the 13th century. It is also known as White and is the architectural dominant of the square. The town hall building itself has been rebuilt several times and is distinguished by a mixture of architectural styles.

The architectural dominant of Fruit Square is the Town Hall building with the Tower of the Elders

In the center of the square there is a monument called “Peronio”, which means “leather shoe”, “shoe”. It is decorated on all sides with bas-reliefs depicting fruits and food. The monument is considered a symbol of successful trade.

This square is located between Zelenshchikov Square and Fruit Square. It got its name from the Palace of the Rulers - Palazzo della Signoria, built for the Carraresi family, who ruled Padua in the 14th–15th centuries. The square is surrounded by buildings built at different times. In the 14th–15th centuries, galleries were added to them. On the eastern side stands the Church of St. Clement, built in antiquity.

Seniors' Square received its name from the Palace of the Rulers

The square was formed in the 14th century after the demolition of the block in front of the Church of San Clemente. Its highlight was the Torre del Orologio - the Clock Tower with an astronomical clock showing the time, day of the week, month, moon phase and zodiac sign. On both sides of it, the 16th-century Captains' Palace (Palazzo Capitanio) and the 17th-century Treasurers' Palace (Palazzo Camerlenghi) are symmetrically located.

The astronomical clock on the Torre del Orologio shows the time, day of the week, date, moon phase and zodiac sign

Opposite San Clemente is the Lodge della Gran Guardia. In the 18th century, the Marciana Column, made up of fragments of the Church of San Marco, was installed on the square. The monument is crowned by the stone lion Sanavio, made in 1870 to replace the sculpture destroyed by the French.

The Palace of Justice, or Reason, built in the 12th–13th centuries, is one of the most valuable architectural objects of the city. It is located in the heart of the Old Town and shares the Herb and Fruit Square. Initially it was intended for court sessions and consisted of three buildings.

The Palace of Reason is one of Padua's most impressive attractions

The palace acquired its current appearance after reconstruction in 1306–1309 according to the design of the architect Giovanni degli Eremitani. He combined three buildings, covering them with one roof in the shape of an inverted hull of a ship. The interiors were decorated with frescoes by Giotto di Bondone, which were destroyed by fire in 1420.

After the fire, the palace was restored, combining three halls into one. Now its length is 80 m, width - 27 m, and height - about 40 m. This is the largest hall in Europe that does not have additional supports. The palace is decorated with more than 500 frescoes on religious and astrological subjects, above the chairs of judges there are images of various animals, so that illiterate citizens can easily find the official in charge of his case.

The Palace of Reason contains the largest hall in Europe that does not have additional supports.

A wooden statue of a horse, received as a gift by the city, is also installed here. The floor is crossed by a black and white stripe, indicating the twelfth meridian on which Padua stands. The large collection of time measuring instruments and the Foucault pendulum attract attention.

From March to October, the Palace of Reason can be visited from 09:00 to 19:00 (Tuesday to Sunday), and from November to February from 09:00 to 18:00.

Next to the Palazzo della Ragione is the university complex. It was founded in 1222 by students and teachers who left the University of Bologna due to disagreements with the leadership. The educational institution was most in demand during the Renaissance. Galileo Galilei, Dante Alighieri, Francesco Petrarca gave lectures here, and among the university graduates there are such famous personalities as Nicolaus Copernicus, Francis Skaryna, Carlo Goldoni.

University of Padua - one of the oldest in Italy

The University of Padua is located in the Palazzo del Bo - Bo's palace, which was the residence of the Dukes of Carraresi from 1318 to 1343. Later, the building served as the “Under the Sign of the Bull” hotel, which is where it got its name (“bo” means “bull”). In 1501, the city authorities bought the palace for the needs of the university. Later, neighboring buildings were added to it.

The University of Padua was the first in Europe to have an anatomical theater. In those days, this was persecuted by the church, so the table was designed to instantly hide the body being dissected.

The ceilings of the building are decorated with frescoes by Giulio Carlini, and the walls are decorated with portraits and family coats of arms of famous graduates. In the left wing there is a monument to the first woman to graduate from the university - Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia.

Inside the university there is an enclosed courtyard with galleries and stone benches, where students still relax after classes to this day.

The garden, laid out in 1545 for the needs of the university, is considered one of the oldest in the world. At first, medicinal plants were grown here for preparing medicines and teaching students. To prevent theft, the area was surrounded by a wall. Gradually, the collection of plants expanded to include specimens from countries that at that time traded with the Venetian Republic.

The Botanical Garden of Padua was created for the needs of the university and is one of the oldest in the world

The design of the garden was developed by architect Andrea Moroni, the author of other city attractions. Daniele Barbaro also contributed to the design, giving the garden the shape of a square inscribed in a circle. In the 18th century, fountains, statues and sundials were added. Later, a gate with a pediment decorated with a sculptural composition was built, a balustrade with vases was installed on the walls, greenhouses and a botanical theater appeared.

The collection of the Botanical Garden of Padua contains more than six thousand plants from all over the world.

In 1997, the garden became a UNESCO protected site. Its oldest plants are the Goethe palm planted in 1585, the 17th-century plane tree, and the 18th-century gingko and magnolia.

Address: Via Orto Botanico, 15.

In the 18th century, wealthy Italians discovered coffee. They liked the drink so much that its consumption increased every day. As you know, demand creates supply, and in 1772 Francesco Pedrocchi opened a coffee shop, which was replaced by a coffee shop in 1831. The company flourished, helped by a confectionery opened in a neighboring building.

Pedrocchi's Café, or "cafe without doors", operated without interruption for 85 years.

In 1800, Pedrocchi's enterprise passed into the hands of his son Antonio, who united several neighboring buildings and invited the architect Giuseppe Iappelli to design them in a single style. The new coffee shop houses several halls for visitors, stylized to resemble different eras, a bakery, a room for storing and roasting coffee, and refrigeration chambers. Today the cafe is a favorite place for students to hang out after classes, as it is located near the university.

Café Pedrocchi has several rooms, stylized to represent different eras and cultures.

On the ground floor there are three halls: Red, Green and White, named after the color of the tapestries used in the interior decoration. On the top floor there are Etruscan, Greek, Roman, Baroque, Gothic and other rooms decorated in accordance with the theme.

Now Pedrocchi's cafe is a real club of interests; there is even a museum with a video library.

The Risorgimento Museum is located on the ground floor. There is a video library of archival chronicles from the life of Italy in the 20th century. In the museum you can see portraits of the founder of the cafe and his son, who donated the coffee shop to the city in 1891. Now it is not just a cafe, but a real club of interests and a cultural and leisure center where students, representatives of creative professions and bohemians gather. Guests of the city also love to come here.

Address: Galerea Pedrocci, 11.

Video: history and culture of Padua

Family holiday

Padua is a great place to relax with children. There is no influx of tourists here, as in other Italian cities, and you can calmly walk the streets without having to push through a crowd of visitors. And the mild Mediterranean climate and abundance of entertainment will make your vacation even more pleasant and easy.

In the warm season, you can take your children to the Parco Padovaland water park. It is located in the open air and surrounded by dense greenery. The spacious area has several large swimming pools with water slides and other attractions. There are areas for active games and areas for parents with children.

Padovaland water park is the best summer holiday destination for children

Outdoor playgrounds and sports areas await little tourists at Parco Città dei Bambini. This is one of the most well-maintained parks in Padua, where there are attractions and play areas for children of all ages.

Parco Città dei Bambini is designed for active outdoor play

If the weather is not conducive to walking, go to the E’ Fantasia gaming center. There are many children's attractions, a dry pool, a trampoline park, slides and much more. You can come here even in good weather - in summer, entertainment areas are installed right in the park, on the territory of which there is a gaming center.

Older children will be interested in an excursion to the Planetario di Padova planetarium. Here they will learn about the structure of the Universe, stars and planets, observe them through a telescope, and watch educational films in a modern cinema. Thematic activities are designed for different age groups.

In the planetarium Planetario di Padova, children will learn about the structure of the Universe and will be able to watch the stars through a telescope

Butterfly Arc - the Butterfly Garden - is perfect for outdoor recreation. In addition to myriads of beautiful insects of all colors and sizes, there are many equally bright flowers.

In the Butterfly Arc garden you can admire wonderful butterflies and flowers

It would be an unforgivable mistake to be in Padua and not visit the Botanical Garden with your children. The vast territory contains a wide variety of plants, including exotic and rare specimens. And teenagers will be interested in excursions to “adult” attractions. This will enrich them with knowledge of history and instill a sense of beauty.

Short trip to Padua

Like any small town, Padua can be quickly explored in a few hours. People often stop here on their way to larger tourist centers. The attractions are located next to each other, all you have to do is move from one to the other.

To feel the medieval atmosphere of the city and immerse yourself in the picturesque art of the Renaissance, it makes sense to stay here for at least 2-3 days. Or settle in Padua and from here make forays into nearby cities. It is better to choose hotels near the center so as not to waste time and money on travel. Hotel Plaza is 1.1 km from the center, Hotel Casa Del Pellegrino is 1.4 km, Hotel Al Santo is 1.5 km away.

Padua in different seasons

When choosing a season to travel to Padua, you need to take into account the weather, which is determined by the climate. It is continental here, with cool winters and hot and humid summers. In winter, temperatures range from 0–7 °C, and in summer they can reach +40 °C, and fogs are common. Try to choose late spring or early autumn for your trip - this is the most comfortable time. July and August are considered the hottest months, and many organizations close for the holidays.

At different times of the year, events take place in the city that are worth a visit. For example, on June 12 and 13 the most famous holiday is celebrated - the Day of St. Anthony of Padua. On this day, processions in historical costumes pass through the streets, a torchlight procession and a fireworks display are held.

The celebration of the Day of St. Anthony of Padua is magnificent - after church ceremonies, folk festivities begin

The Sherwood Music Festival opens in mid-June and continues for a month. The venue is near the main football stadium, twenty minutes from the center. The festival is dedicated to youth music and brings together groups of performers from all over Italy and abroad.

The Padova Jazz Festival is held in November. Jazz and blues musicians from all over the world come to Padua. The festival takes place at several venues in the city, where you can listen to world stars and newcomers.

During the Padova Jazz Festival you can hear performances by both recognized jazz masters and newcomers

Winter in Padua is warm, the temperature almost never drops below zero. This time is suitable for strolling the streets and visiting museums. Just stock up on suitable clothing.

And, of course, Christmas is a traditional time for fairs and sales. This is a good time to combine celebrations with shopping. And the festive decoration of the city will create the necessary mood.

Padua, decorated with lights, is especially beautiful on Christmas Eve

Before visiting any new place, it will be useful to know some of its features. This will save you from many problems and make your vacation even more enjoyable:

1. Italy is a traditional place for bargain shopping, and Padua is no exception in this regard. The city has a lot of stock stores where you can buy clothes and shoes of famous brands at very reasonable prices. You should look for them on the streets via del Santo, via Zabarella, Piazza Eremitani.
   

   From one o'clock in the afternoon to half past four, Padua is empty: shops and cafes are closed, the townspeople go home to wait out the hottest time of the day - a siesta reigns in the city.

   Take a look at the Padua stock shops, here you can buy branded goods at a good price

2. If you plan to stay in Padua for several days, purchase a Padova Card - a tourist card that entitles you to free travel on public transport and visits to museums.
   With the Padova Card you don't have to pay for attractions and parking
3. The most popular type of urban transport is the bus. There are 23 bus routes in Padua. Another popular and convenient form of transport is a bicycle. You can rent it at your hotel or one of the shops. The only line of monorail tram running on tires runs through the entire city from south to north.
   

   The historic center of Padua is almost entirely pedestrian; you will have to leave your car outside. One of the largest parking lots is located near Prato della Valle.

   A monorail tram running on rubber tires runs in Padua

   From April to October there is the opportunity to travel to Venice on the Burchiello steamboat. The main tourist sites are compactly located in the historical center of Padua

Padua is a small but very beautiful city located near Venice. This proximity benefits the city; it is actively developing as a tourist center. A large number of architectural structures from the Renaissance have been preserved in Padua. The city is striving to develop its infrastructure and also attracts tourists with inexpensive prices for hotel rooms.

Experienced tourists recommend that beginners buy a PadovaCard at the station upon arrival in Padua. This is a kind of ticket that is valid for two days and gives you the opportunity to use it to visit a dozen city attractions, get discounts in souvenir shops and pay for travel on public transport. A very common type of transport among travelers is a bicycle, which allows you to explore all the iconic places of the city of Padua in one day, the attractions of which are concentrated mainly in the central administrative district.

If you don’t spend a lot of time visiting museums, and there are several of them in the city (Museum of the Middle Ages, Modern Art, Archaeological), then in one day you can have time to examine in detail about a dozen interesting places.

Scrovegni Chapel

The Church of St. Mary of Mercy or better known as the Scrovegni Chapel is considered a real treasure of Padua. Frescoes painted by Giotto himself are kept there. This series of frescoes marked the beginning of a new direction in European painting - the figures of characters began to be depicted three-dimensional for the first time. Frescoes completely cover all the internal walls of the chapel and part of the vault. Moreover, the splendor is revealed only from the inside, and from the outside it is an unremarkable building of an ordinary rectangular shape.

The altar is decorated with three statues, the author of which is the equally famous Italian sculptor Giovanni Pisano.
But you shouldn’t expect that you can get there easily. This place is very popular and it is better to sign up there in advance via the Internet. Otherwise, when you come to the opening of the box office, you can buy a ticket only for the evening. Visits are allowed only in small groups and no more than a quarter of an hour. This was done so as not to disturb the temperature regime of the church for the preservation of such significant frescoes. There is an entrance fee, but this does not apply to PadovaCard holders. For tourists, it is also possible to visit the chapel at night. If during the day a ticket costs (without a card) 12 euros, then at night it costs 8.

Palazzo della Ragione

The Palace of Reason, as the Italians call this building, is a symbol of Padua. The palazzo is located at the junction of two squares: Fruits and Herbs, where vegetables and fruits have been sold since the Middle Ages to this day. To this day, a covered passage with rings driven into the wall has been preserved between the squares. Previously, swindlers and thieves were tied to them so that they would stand like a pillory for everyone to see. Below the crossing there is an area with set stones that traders used to check weight.

The roof of the palace is an inverted hull of a ship and is covered with lead sheets. It is this highlight that attracts the attention of tourists. In addition, copies of Giotto's frescoes are presented here. Della Ragione's surprises do not end there; it turns out that his hall is the largest in Europe and does not have additional supports. Its walls are painted in such a way that the overall composition consists of twelve scenes in accordance with the number of months in the year and tells about various church scenes.

University of Padua

The year of foundation of the university in Padua is considered to be 1222. Its founders were teachers and students of the University of Bologna, which they left due to internal disagreements.

The Renaissance era marked the heyday of the educational institution. Like many European universities, the walls of the building are decorated with family coats of arms of famous students and portraits of rectors. Soon there were so many coats of arms that it was banned from the 17th century.

Once upon a time Copernicus, Skaryna, and Galileo studied here, who later taught at the same university. According to one version, this place was originally a slaughterhouse and students still call the university Bo, which means “Bull”; according to another, it is a restaurant. This educational institution is famous for the fact that the first female student graduated from its walls in 1678, which was nonsense for Europe.

In the 1550s, the building was completely rebuilt and according to the new plan, all classrooms were visible from the courtyard. The first anatomical theater in Europe was founded at the same university.

Botanical Garden

UNESCO included the Botanical Garden of Padua in its list with the comment that it is the prototype of all botanical gardens in Europe. It is considered one of the oldest gardens in the world. The garden was founded in the middle of the 16th century for the needs of the medical faculty of the university. Medicinal plants were grown there and used to prepare medicines. Today, more than 6 thousand species of plants and trees grow on 20 thousand hectares.

Basilica of St. Anthony

The most powerful church in Italy, the Basilica of St. Anthony, is one of the iconic places of the city and is under the jurisdiction of the Vatican. Compared to other basilicas, the church accommodates the largest number of parishioners. St. Anthony is one of the most revered saints in Padua, he was canonized in just one year.

This building dates back to the 13th century, but has undergone several reconstructions throughout history and now it is difficult to say in what style it was built.

You can view the altar, decorated with statues by Donatello and frescoes by Titian, completely free from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. You should also take care of clothing appropriate for the location. Women wearing shorts, open dresses and without a headscarf will not be allowed into the building.

Piazza della Valle

The size of Prato della Valle, which means “Meadow in the Valley,” makes it one of the largest squares in Europe. This territory has a perfectly flat elliptical shape. Previously, there was a theater and a hippodrome here. The square is decorated with a fountain and more than seven dozen monuments to the townspeople, which were erected from the 12th to the 19th centuries. An artificial island with canals and bridges was built in the middle of the square, and ancient mansions of local residents were located along the entire perimeter of the square.

Basilica of Santa Giustina

The Church of St. Justina is a place visited by thousands of believers. It contains the relics of Saints Luke, Prosdocius and the Great Martyr Justina (Justina) of Padua.

The large number of domes and high bell tower make the basilica somewhat similar to Arab temples.

The first woman to graduate from the local university and defend her dessert degree, Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia, is also buried in the chapel located next to the basilica.

Antenor's Tomb

In the very center of the city there is a grave of the founder of Padua, Prince Antenor, who arrived at this place after the destruction of Troy. And when in the Middle Ages the burial of a man in armor and with a sword was discovered, the version became stronger, and he was mistaken for Antenor. After which they built a tomb and reburied the remains. True, at the end of the 20th century, the remains were laboratory tested, and it turned out that this was not a Trojan prince, but a warrior of Hungarian origin. But it was too late - the legend was firmly entrenched in the hearts of the residents.

Every fan of Italy must visit the tiny town in the east of the Padua Plain - Padua! Here, in a small area of ​​only 92 km, you can truly plunge into Italian history, see magnificent basilicas with ancient frescoes made by Giotto himself, touch the relics of St. Anthony, see one of the largest and most colorful squares in Europe, visit the oldest operating university, where Copernicus and Galileo taught, see the beautiful botanical garden and much, much more. Along with the historical values ​​in Padua, you can also enjoy pleasant shopping, as well as try real Italian cuisine in numerous cafes and restaurants in the city center.

About the city of Padua

The year of the founding of the city of Padua is quite difficult to name. The first mention of this city was in the poem “Aeneid”. According to the work, Aeneas’s friend Antenor founded a city here after the Trojan War and named it Pattavia (in honor of the Padus River). The official founding date of the city is 1183 BC. In the history of Padua there were ups and downs, flourishing and decline, but, nevertheless, this beautiful piece of Italy was able to preserve that spiritual part that can only be felt by visiting it.

One of the most important historical moments of the city of Padua was the founding in 1222 of the famous University of Padua, which gave a huge impetus to the development of the city.

Padua is administratively divided into 6 parts, the main one being the central square. Most of the attractions are located in this square. You can get around them all on foot, since the center covers an area of ​​just over 5 km?. Also in the central part of Padua there are most of the hotels, shops and cafes and restaurants. The territory of the city is lined with canals from two rivers called Bacchiglione and Brenta.

Below we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the location of the main attractions in the city of Padua on the map.

Most tourists visit Padua as a “starting point”, since from this city it is quite easy to get to Venice and Verona and even Milan.

The distance from Padua to Venice is only 48 kilometers, which allows you to visit these two cities together even on the same day. You can get to Venice either by car or by train. Moreover, getting there by train is much faster, especially since trains depart from Padua station every 40 minutes.

Verona is located to the west of the city. The distance from Verona to Padua is 90 km. The best way to get to the city of Romeo and Juliet is by car or by train with a change in Bologna.

If you want to combine a sightseeing holiday with shopping in Milan, then you need to know that The distance between the cities of Padua and Milan is more than 200 km. Therefore, in this case, it is best to get from Padua to Venice, where you can use the services of air carriers, but you can also travel by train with a transfer to Bologna.

Do you want to visit not only Padua, but throughout Italy? Then you should definitely read about it to know where and how else you can go.

If you want to buy an apartment in Padua, you can find out how to do it.

To live in Padua, you need to find a job. Follow the link to find out how to do this.

Sights of Padua

The first question of a tourist who comes to the city suggests itself: “What to see in the city of Padua?” Padua, although a small town, contains some of the greatest treasures of Italian history. The great Giotto worked here, Copernicus and Galileo made their discoveries, Nicholas of Cusa and Francis Skorina and many others... Tourists who want to visit all the sights of the city should purchase a special tourist card for the city of Padua.

It gives you the right to discounts on visits to the main attractions of the city and free travel on public transport. The cost of such a card is 16 euros (for 48 hours) or 21 euros (for 72 hours). You can buy it at tourist offices located in:

• Padova Railway Station (Stazione FS Piazzale Stazione Ferroviaria 13/A);
• Montegrotto Terme (Viale Stazione, 60 35036 Montegrotto Terme);
• Galleria Pedrocchi (Galleria Pedrocchi 35122 – Padova);
• Abano Terme (Terme via Pietro d’Abano 18 – 35031 Abano Terme).

By the way, a popular form of transport in Padua is a regular bicycle. The city is completely suitable for traveling on two wheels. A ride on it will not only speed up movement between attractions, but will also give you the opportunity to visit the nooks and crannies of the central part of the city.

Scrovegni Chapel in Padua and Giotto

The most famous landmark of Padua is, of course, the Scrovegni Chapel. There is an interesting legend about the greedy and greedy moneylender Reginaldo, about whom Dante himself wrote in the work “The Divine Comedy”. According to this legend, Reginaldo's son built a small church to atone for the sins of his own father. According to some sources, this church was designed by the famous Italian artist Giotto. He is also the author of the famous frescoes in the chapel. There is another name for this chapel, namely Capella del Arena. This name apparently comes from the name of the area (Arena di Padova), which was owned by Enrico Scrovegni (the son of that same Reginaldo). The surprising thing is that from the outside the chapel looks completely unremarkable. An ordinary rectangular building, without luxurious decoration. But inside you will find a fascinating spectacle of frescoes by Giotto, which you can look at for hours.

Not far from the Chapel del Arena there is a complex of museums Chviko Eremitani, where you can look at the archaeological treasures of the city of Padua and admire some of the works of famous Italian artists and sculptors, including Giotto, Titian, Bellini and others.

Attraction address: Italy, Padua, Giardini all’Arena, Piazza Eremitani, 8. Geographically, the Scrovegni Chapel is located on the banks of the canal in the Arena di Padova park.

There is a huge queue for the excursion to the chapel, so you need to buy tickets for the visit in advance; it’s even better to book them on the official website of the chapel. Only 15 minutes are allotted to view the interior decoration, but even these 15 minutes make a lasting impression. The cost of visiting is: for adults - 13 euros, for students and schoolchildren (upon presentation of a student card) - 6 euros, for children - 1 euro.

University of Padua or Bo Palace

As mentioned above, the university was built in 1222 (possibly earlier). It was founded by teachers and students who left the equally famous university in Bologna (a city north of Padua). The heyday of the University of Padua occurred during the Renaissance. Then it was here that the greatest discoveries took place in such sciences as medicine, astronomy, physics and others. The university itself is located on the territory of the old hotel “U Vola”. That is why the University of Padua is also called the Palace of Bo. The university is a classic Renaissance building with a huge number of steps and passages. The walls of the main building are decorated with ancient coats of arms and portraits of the university rectors.

Nowadays, thousands of students of various specialties study at the University of Padua. Entrance to the territory is absolutely free and free. It has several museums and, of course, the most famous anatomical theater.

Attraction address: Italy, Padua, Via Prosdocimo Beldomandi 1. Geographically, the University of Padua is located 10 minutes walk north of the city’s main square, Prato della Valle.

Botanical Garden of Padua

The Botanical Garden in Padua is the oldest in Europe. It was originally created at the University of Padua to grow various medicinal herbs and plants used for teaching. After some time, the botanical garden was surrounded by a high wall to avoid vandalism. After a while, beautiful fountains and sundials were installed in it, which are still functioning today.

The structure of the botanical garden in Padua itself is interesting. It has the shape of a square inscribed in a circle. The Botanical Garden in Padua is also called the “closed garden”, and its appearance is an allegory of identification with the Virgin Mary.

At the end of the 90s, the Botanical Garden in Padua was awarded the title “Prototype of all botanical gardens” and included in the UNESCO list as a World Heritage Site.

Attraction address: Italy, Padua, Via Orto Botanico 15. Geographically, the botanical garden is located behind the building of the University of Padua. It is open on weekdays from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00. Entrance 5 euros.

Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua and monument to Erasimo Gattemalata

The construction of this basilica began a year after the death of Anthony of Padua, a famous preacher of the 12th century, on the site of the former monastery of Santa Maria Mater, where he preached. Anthony became famous throughout Italy and even Europe for his eloquence and the miracles that occurred during his sermons. That is why Anthony’s canonization took place within a year of his death. The construction of the church was completed after 19 years, and the relics of the Saint were placed in the main building of the basilica.

Basilica of St. Anthony (Basilica del Santo; Basilica di sant’Antonio) is the largest church in Padua. It has the richest decoration, not only of the external facades, but also of the interior decoration. In the structure you can see details from different centuries, as the basilica was constantly improved and added to.

Attraction address: Italy, Padua, Piazza del Santo 11.

In front of the Basilica of St. Anthony there is a copper statue of a horseman. This is a monument to one of the rulers of Padua - Erasimo da Narni. The statue was commissioned by Narni's relatives and is a 9-meter copper sculpture, rising on a pedestal in which there are two doors - symbols of life and death. The monument was made by the famous sculptor Donatello for 10 years.

Erazzimo received the nickname Gattemalata from his friends for his ability to diplomatically resolve all conflicts and squeeze into any gap. Literally, Gattemalata means “sweet-talking cat.”

To fully immerse yourself in the Italian atmosphere, stand in the national language.

Fairs often take place on Prato della Valle. you can find out what you can buy in Italy as a gift for family and friends.

When is the best time to go to Italy on an excursion, you can find out at The most interesting places are waiting for you!

Prato della Valle in Padua

One of the most beautiful places in Padua. Piazza della Valle is the largest square in Italy. It is a huge oval surrounded by a canal. Around the square there are 78 statues that are in one way or another connected with the history of the city of Padua. The architect of the square was Dominico Cerato, who was able to turn this place into truly a decoration of the city.

Attraction address: Italy, Padua, Prato della Valle.

Nowadays, every weekend, Prato della Valle in Padua hosts all kinds of fairs and exhibitions. Not only tourists, but also the indigenous residents of Padua love to walk and take pictures here. On major holidays, various entertainment events take place on the square.

Initially, 88 statues were installed on Piazza della Velle, but by order of Napoleon, 10 sculptures of the famous doges in Padua that he did not like were destroyed, and only 78 remained.

Basilica of Santa Giustina

The basilica is known throughout the world for its seven bells. These bells are among the heaviest in Europe. The Church of Santa Giustina (Basilica di Santa Giustina) was erected on the burial site of the great martyr Justina of Padua. The relics of St. Luke are also kept in the temple.

The Basilica of Santa Giustina is located near Prato della Velle in Padua. The square offers a magnificent view of its bell towers. The structure has the shape of a cross, measuring 122 by 82 meters. This is the largest church in Italy.

Attraction address: Italy, Padua, Via Giuseppe Ferrari 2A. Geographically, the Basilica of Santa Giustina is located southeast of the main square of the city - Prato della Velle.

I hope we helped you answer the question: “What to see in Padua?” In addition, we invite you to watch a video about the beautiful Italian town of Padua.

Weather in Padua

The climate in Padua is continental, characterized by high humidity (about 72%). In winter the city is relatively cool (from 0 to 7 degrees Celsius), in summer it is quite hot (temperatures can rise to 27 degrees Celsius). The ideal period for the trip is the end of May - beginning of June and September. In late autumn and early spring, fog is a common occurrence in the city due to high air humidity.

Shopping in Padua

Visit Italy and not skimp on small things? Yes, this is impossible! Padua is no exception in this regard. Most of the shops are located in the historical center of the city. Most often, tourists buy goods in shops along the streets of Piazza Eremitani, via Zabarella and via del Santo. Boutiques of famous brands are concentrated in this place. In the northern part of the city there are the streets Via San Fermo and Via dei Borromeo, where you can also easily and profitably shop.

Visitors to the city are often interested in the fairs taking place on Prato della Velle. Here you can purchase both exclusive goods and pleasant little things in the form of a set of spices.

I would especially like to mention the outlets in Padua. Outlets are so-called boutique towns, usually located somewhere outside the city limits or far from the center, so as not to create greater competition for boutiques in the city center. In outlets you can buy real branded items with a 40-50% discount. The main outlets in Padua are located at:

• Donatello Srl – Via Martiri della Libert?, 15 Padova, Italy +39 049 875 3836
• Negozi Pellizzari S.R.L – Via Venezia, 106 Padova, Italy +39 049 807 2088
• La Rinascente S.R.L – Via Calvi 7 Padova, Italy +39 049 876 0166
• Max Mara – Via San Fermo, 35/a Padova, Italy +39 049 663500
• Pavin Elements – Via San Fermo, 40 Padova, Italy +39 049 875 8706
• Hermes Italie S.P.A – Via del Risorgimento, 38 Padova, Italy +39 049 662199
• Stefanel S.P.A. – Via Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia, 1 Padova, Italy +39 049 658393

In order to buy things and shoes profitably, you need to know when they happen not only in Padua, but also in other cities.

The most basic information about the Italian currency has been collected. After all, it is very important to know the exchange rate at the time of the trip.

Where else you can go shopping in Italy you can find out here