Italy Padua. The main attractions of Padua. Cathedral of Padua

Padua is one of most beautiful places in Italy, where there are not many tourists. Here you can enjoy magnificent architectural masterpieces and religious sites and simply stroll along the local streets.

The ancient and beautiful town of Padova is located in northern Italy in the Veneto region. Not far from Padua there are favorite places for tourists: Venice (40 km) and Verona (70 km).

Padua (the sights tell the history of the city) covers an area of ​​only 93 square meters. km. The city has beautiful canals that prevent flooding. More than 210 thousand people live in Padua. During the tourist season this figure increases. The population speaks Italian. Monetary unit serves as euro.

Climate and weather

The climate in the city is continental. In winter it is quite cool, and in summer there are high temperatures, which are sometimes difficult to tolerate due to high humidity. Fog can often be seen in spring and autumn.

January is considered the coldest. The temperature on the thermometer during the day is about +7 - +9, and at night the thermometer can drop to +3. The highest temperatures occur in August. During the day the thermometer can reach +31, and at night about 20 degrees Celsius.

In summer you can meet a large number of tourists in the city who come from many resorts on excursions. Because of this, there are queues at many attractions. In hot weather, Padua is quite stuffy, as the stone streets and houses get quite hot in the sun.

Tourists who want to see the city and swim in the sea (about 45 km from the city) should come here in the summer. For those interested only in sightseeing, you should plan your trip in spring or early fall.

How to get there

Since Padua does not have its own airport, you must fly to the nearest cities with airports. (Venice, Verona). And from there you can get to the city using various options.

Kind of transport	Features of the option
Air	1. A direct flight Moscow-Venice will cost about 180 USD. Travel time is almost 3.5 hours. 2. The cost of tickets with a transfer in Brussels or Berlin is much lower and is about 86 USD. But you will have to spend from 10 to 18 hours on the way. 3. A ticket for a direct flight Moscow-Verona costs about 100 USD. That is, and the flight requires a little more than 3.5 hours.
Train	1. The Moscow-Verona train travels for 1 day and 17 hours. Tickets cost from 4800 rubles. 2. In Verona you can take the train to Padua and in 40 minutes. get to the place. Ticket price is about 700 rubles.
Bus	From the airport or railway station of neighboring cities you can get to Padua by bus. 1. Verona-Padua. 2. Venice-Padua. The travel time will be just over 1 hour and the cost of the trip will be about 160 rubles. 3. The Moscow-Naples bus will take you to Verona in 2 days. The cost of the trip is about 15,700 rubles.
Auto	The distance from Moscow to Padua by car is about 2600 km. The route will pass through the territories of several states (Belarus, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria).
Hitch-hiking	Adventure and extreme sports enthusiasts and people who are not afraid of difficulties can hitchhike to their destination.

Padua, whose attractions are distributed evenly throughout the city, has very attractive architecture.

You can get around the city itself by public transport or taxi. There are a large number of bicycle rental points in the city. Those who love comfort can rent a car.

Where to stay

Padua, whose attractions provide an opportunity to get acquainted with the culture of the country, has a fairly large number of hotels for any tourist.

The most popular hotels in each category:

1. Le Camp Suite & Spa.

The luxurious 4-star hotel has spacious rooms and a spa complex. Guests can relax in the sauna or hammam. The hotel is located in the central part of the city next to famous objects. Visitors also have access to Gym. Each room has a balcony and a private bathroom. The price, which includes breakfast, starts from 149 USD.

2. Albergo Verdi.

The hotel is located in the historical part of the city near popular attractions. The 3 star hotel has a separate bar. The rooms have TV, air conditioning and internet. For 90 USD That is, you can get a room with breakfast included.

3. Hotel Sagittario.

The 3-star hotel is located away from the center. Has its own restaurant. In rooms, the cost per person starts from 71 USD. That is, there is television, internet and air conditioning. The price includes breakfast.

4. Hotel Al Prato.

A cozy 3 star hotel is located in the very center of the city. The rooms have a private bathroom with amenities and a TV with air conditioning. The cost of a room for 1 adult starts from 68 USD. e. Breakfast is also included.

5. Hotel Belludi 37.

A comfortable 2-star hotel located in the very center close to many attractions. The spacious rooms have TV and internet. The price per night in a hotel with breakfast starts from 86 USD. e.

Where to eat

Padua has a large number of cafes and restaurants that offer local cuisine. Tourists enjoy trying Italian and Mediterranean food. Traditional pizza and pasta can be enjoyed in various variations.

1. Osteria di Fuori Porta.

The comfortable restaurant is located in a quiet and quiet place and offers visitors a choice of dishes from Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Large selection of wine from different brands. The menu includes dishes for vegetarians.

2. Sugo Padova.

In the restaurant, everyone can find food for themselves. European, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine is presented here. The menu includes vegan and gluten-free options. Even fast food lovers have something to offer. In the restaurant, visitors can watch food being prepared.

3. Ristorante Zafferano.

A cozy restaurant, located near the Church of St. Anthony, offers a large selection of Mediterranean and European dishes. Diners can also order gluten-free food. The family restaurant serves many fresh fish dishes.

Attractions

Padua, whose attractions date from different periods of time, is considered a city with three “withouts”: a cafe without doors, a field without grass and a saint without a name.

Sight	Location	Ticket price
Palazzo della Ragione	pl. delle Erbe	4 euros
Prato della Valle	pl. Prato Valle	for free
Piazza della Signoria	pl. della Signoria	for free
University of Padua	st. 8 Febbraio 2	for free
Zuckermann Palace	Ave. Giuseppe Garibaldi 33	10 euros
Basilica of Santa Giustina	st. Giuseppe Ferrari 2A	for free
Basilica of St. Anthony	pl. del Santo 11	for free
Cathedral Padua	pl. Duomo	for free
Scrovegni Chapel	pl. Eremitani 8	Children under 6 years old and disabled people free; Children from 6 years old and students – 6 euros; Adults – 10 euros
Eremitani Church	pl. Eremitani 9	for free
Eremitani City Museum	pl. Eremitani 8	10 euros
Cafe Pedrocchi	st. Otto Febbraio 15	free, museum on the upper level (adults - 4 euros, children - 2.5 euros)
Villa Contarini	Este	7 euros
Botanical Garden of Padua	st. Orto Botanico, 15	Children – 1 euro Adults – 4 euros
	Province of Padua	for free

Palazzo della Ragione

The Palace of Justice, built in the 8th century, has an unusual roof. Palazzo della Ragione is located in the center and divides the Piazza dei Herbs and Fruits.

Inside the building you can see floral patterns and astronomical paintings that are dedicated to each month. The Palace of Justice has many different instruments that help measure time, as well as the Foucault pendulum and sundial.

Prato della Valle

The area of ​​Prato della Valle is the largest in Europe and occupies about 90 thousand square meters. km. Created in the very center artificial island, which is separated by a channel. Small bridges cross the canals.

Prato della Valle has many ancient buildings and the Basilica of St. Giustina. There is also a fountain. There are 78 sculptures of famous personalities of Padua in the square.

Piazza della Signoria

The ancient Piazza della Signoria is a favorite place among tourists. There are many restaurants and the Admiralty, built in the 15th century.

The central square of Padua contains many attractions

It has a clock that shows exact time, day of the week and month. The phase of the moon is also indicated here. During the holiday, performances are held in the square.

University of Padua

The university is one of the oldest in Europe. At one time, Copernicus and Galileo studied there. The university was a center for the study of medicine and astronomy.

Today it has 13 faculties, with more than 60 thousand students studying there. Inside the university there is an open courtyard with benches. There are a large number of coats of arms depicted on the ceiling.

Zuckermann Palace

The Zuckermann Palace houses the Museum of Applied Arts on the 1st and 2nd floors. The 3rd floor is dedicated to the museum of coins and medals. The building is located next to the Scrovegni Chapel.

Here you can see porcelain and wood products, National costumes and Venetian lace. Most coins and medals come from Ancient Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance were the property of the merchant Bottachin, which were later transferred to the museum.

Basilica of Santa Giustina

The basilica was built in the place where Saint Giustina was buried. The building is made in the Renaissance style. The temple has several domes and a large bell tower consisting of 7 bells.

In the basilica you can touch the relics of St. Giustina and St. Luke and Matthew. The church was built in the form of a Latin cross and consists of 12 chapels.

The interior decoration of the temple amazes visitors. A large number of ancient and valuable icons, multi-colored mosaics on the floor. The church houses an impressive collection of books. Pilgrims can rest in 2 buildings, which are used as hotels for believers.

Basilica of St. Anthony

Saint Anthony was the defender of the city, in whose honor in the 13th century. the basilica was built. It contains his relics, which attract a large number of pilgrims every year. Here lie the remains of one of the rulers of Padua.

The Basilica of Anthony of Padua consists of several chapels and chapels. In the external and internal decoration of the temple you can see various styles, since the church was constantly rebuilt or added to. Near the altar are works by Donatello. The walls of the building are decorated with frescoes.

Cathedral of Padua

The cathedral is considered the main temple in the city. It was created in the Renaissance style and has a second name (Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta). The cathedral is a Latin cross and consists of several chapels and a private place for baptism (baptistery). There is a font in the center, which has been preserved since the 12th century.

The Padua Cathedral houses the relics of Gregoria Barbarigo, who is considered the patron saint of orphans and widows. A copy of the Byzantine icon “The Virgin and Child” is also kept here.

Scrovegni Chapel

The Church of St. Mary of Mercy or Scrovegni Chapel was built in the 13th century. for the money of the merchant Scrovegni. Inside the building you can see frescoes by the famous Italian artist Giotto. He depicted moments from the Bible: the birth of the Virgin Mary and Christ, the Last Supper, the Last Judgment and many others.

The height of the ceilings in the chapel reaches almost 13 m. It was in the chapel that Giotto first depicted the birth of Christ the Savior.

Eremitani Church

The Church of Eremitani is the oldest temple in Padua and has a second name - the Church of the Hermits. It was built back in the 12th century.

Inside the building you can see frescoes by the famous Italian artist Mantegna and a large wooden Crucifix. The church contains the burial places of 2 princes from Padua. It was heavily damaged during World War II, so artists had to restore most of the frescoes.

Eremitani City Museum

The city museum is represented by 2 separate collections: archaeological and objects from the Middle Ages and modern art. Previously, this building housed the Augustinian monastery.

The Archaeological Museum is located on the 1st floor. Here you can see various dishes and other household items. The 2nd floor is dedicated to an art gallery, which houses works by many famous Italian artists of the Middle Ages and modern times.

Cafe Pedrocchi

Another interesting place in the center of Padua is the Pedrocchi cafe, which was opened back in the 18th century. It is unique in that the cafe has not been closed for more than 80 years. This is where the name “Cafe Without Doors” came from.

The cafe consists of several rooms decorated in different styles. Here you can see the hall of Ancient Greece and the Middle Ages, enjoy the interior of Ancient Rome, Egypt and Pompeii.

On the lower level there are 3 rooms, each of which is painted in the colors of the national flag of Italy (white, red, green). Since the cafe was a meeting place for Italian fighters who opposed Austrian rule in the 18th century, the Risorgimento Museum was created on the upper level.

Villa Contarini

The villa is located in Este in the Euganean Hills. It served as the country residence of the Contarini brothers. Here you can enjoy a beautiful park with lakes, which was created according to the example of a Renaissance garden. The park occupies almost 40 hectares.

The villa consists of a main 3-storey building and adjacent 2-storey wings. On the top floor there are chambers. The lower level is given over to food storage and utility rooms.

This is the largest villa on the entire European continent.

The magnificent decoration and frescoes with mosaics have been preserved inside. Vivaldi often performed in the building.

Botanical Garden of Padua

In the city itself, on an area of ​​20 thousand square meters. km there is a Botanical Garden. A large number of plants are represented here. IN indoors excellent conditions have been created for local flora. Here you can see many unique plants and flowers (orchid, magnolia). There are also predator plants in the garden. And plants grow in the open air.

Benches, fountains and various sculptures are installed on the territory of the Botanical Garden. The botanical garden is included in the UNESCO heritage list.

Euganean Hills Regional Park

The national reserve, whose area is about 19 thousand hectares, is one of the most beautiful places with picturesque nature. There are many different routes for tourists. On its territory there are fortified cities, ancient villas and ancient city Petrarch.

There are also 2 famous thermal springs: Abano and Montegrotto Terme. The Euganean Hills are often called the “lungs” of Padua. In the fields of the Euganean Hills you can see a large number of vineyards and fruit trees.

Where to go with a child

Most tourists come on holiday with children. Daily excursions and sightseeing will be boring for children. Therefore you need to choose entertainment places for the guys.

1. Water park "Parco Padovaland".

The water park is located under open air, so you can only visit it in good weather. A large number of water attractions for children and adults of all ages.

2. Park "Città dei Bambini".

The park has many swings and slides for children. Sports grounds are equipped.

3. Amusement Park water park.

Another water park with various types of attractions. There is a swimming pool and places for the little ones.

What to see in Padua in 1 day

Although Padua is a small city, it is almost impossible to cover all significant objects in 1 day. It is important to purchase a travel card (Padova Card), which is valid for 2 or 3 days and costs 16 and 21 euros. It gives you the opportunity to visit the attractions indicated in it without paying additional admission, and use public transport for free during this time.

Attractions in Padua are located mainly in the historical part of the city.

It is worth paying attention to the following cultural and historical sites:

What to see in 2-3 days

Not only are there many beautiful and interesting places in the city itself, there is also something to see in the province of Padua. Therefore, it is best to set aside a few days to calmly and slowly get to know this amazing place.

Day 1.

The first day is worth dedicating time to explore the city:

Day 2.

On the second day you can go outside the city and visit several villas with beautiful gardens and parks:

• Villa Barbarigo in Valsanzibio;
• Valsanzibio garden;
• Villa Emo in Rivella di Monselice;
• Villa Miari de Cumani;
• Villa Pisani-Scalabrine in Vescovan;
• Fassanelle Park;
• Villa Contarini.

Day 3.

On the last day of the excursion it is worth going to the fortified cities and visit one of the most beautiful nature reserves:

What to bring from Padua

While traveling in Italy, every tourist thinks about what to bring with them from the trip. I would like to buy not just a souvenir, but something original and interesting.

Souvenirs that are most popular among tourists:

• Traditional food products include: cheese, olive oil, pasta, dried ravioli, sun-dried tomatoes, marzipan and dry-cured sausage.
• In Padua, candles with the face of St. Anthony are very popular.
• Fashion lovers can purchase clothes and accessories from Italian designers.
• A bottle of Italian wine will be an excellent gift for family and friends.
• One more interesting souvenir From Italy there will be dishes or decorations made of Murano glass.
• Venetian masks and Italian dolls (Pinocchio, Harlequin).

Padua is becoming more and more popular every year. Tourists come here to enjoy the numerous attractions located within walking distance, try local cuisine and just wander around the quiet and calm city.

Article format: Vladimir the Great

Video about the sights of Padua

Padua overview:

Padua, Italy - detailed information about the city. Guide to Padua: popular attractions with photos and descriptions.

City of Padova

Padua is a city in Italian province Veneto, located in the Po Valley, 20 km from the Venetian Lagoon. It is a beautiful old City, where you will find many attractions, original and interesting places and delicious cuisine. It is very convenient to stay here when traveling in northeastern Italy, since Padua is advantageously located near the tourist meccas of Venice and Verona, and prices for hotels and food are significantly lower here.

History of Padua

The founding of Padua dates back to the period between the thirteenth and eleventh centuries BC and is associated with the civilization of the ancient Greeks.

There is a legend that after the mythical Trojan War, one of the leaders of Troy, Antenor, fleeing from the Greeks, sailed down the Po and founded the village of Padus (from the Greek - swamp) in a swampy area.

During the Roman Empire, Padus, later called Patavium, became an ally of the Romans and became rich thanks to its favorable location at the crossroads of trade routes. Padua became one of the largest cities in the Empire.

In 601 Padua was razed to the ground by King Agilulf and then again in 800 by the Huns. After this, the city was almost abandoned - residents fled to the surrounding area, many moved to Venice.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the territory came under the rule of the Lombards. They completely changed the social structure and introduced feudalism.

At the same time, Catholicism began to gain strength. Temples began to be built in the city, Padua began to come to life and grow rich. At the beginning of the 11th century, defensive structures were erected in the city, public and religious buildings were built.

At the beginning of the 13th century, a university was founded in Padua. In the 14th century, Padua became one of the cultural capitals throughout Europe - Giotto worked here, Averroes and Avicenna taught here.

At the beginning of the 15th century, Padua came under the rule of the Venetian Republic. For almost two centuries, the city has become one of the cultural centers of the entire region.

After the Napoleonic Wars, the city and region came under Habsburg influence and remained under it until the unification of Italy.

How to get to Padua

Padua is located almost in the center of the Veneto region between the cities of Treviso and Venice. If you get to Padua by plane, there are three options - airports in Venice, Rimini and Milan. The closest is Marco Polo Airport in Venice.

If you go by car, then from Milan and Venice it is the A4 highway, from the south of Italy - A13 (Bologna).

Tourist tax

Like many cities, Padua has a tourist tax, which may or may not be included in the price of your stay (you need to check when booking). In 2016, the following tourist tax was established:

• four stars and above € 2.85
• three stars € 1.90
• two stars € 1.40
• one star € 0.95

Urban transport

City transport in Padua includes buses, trams and taxis. Tickets can be purchased at numerous kiosks.

Accommodation in Padua

In Padua you can find hotels, inns and guest houses for every taste and budget. There are a large number of colorful hotels in the city and its surroundings. We recommend booking accommodation in the historical center or in the villages surrounding Padua.

Kitchen

The cuisine of Padua is represented by ancient culinary traditions. In addition to pizza, which is traditionally associated with Italy and is found everywhere, we recommend trying horse meat dishes, cheeses, bigoli, Paduan chicken, focaccio, false parsuto, sweets pazientini and zaleti. Alcohol options include local wines.

Sights of Padua

As in most ancient cities, the main attractions of Padua are located in the historical center. This is especially true of most Italian cities because they often developed around ancient Roman or medieval defensive walls.

Despite its fairly decent size, all the main attractions of Padua are located within walking distance. Although, if necessary, you can use buses that will take you to all the sights. But we recommend doing hiking, because it’s nice to walk around the city. There is no abundance of tourists here like in Rome, Venice, Verona, Milan, you can calmly enjoy the city and its interesting places. There are also quite a lot of pedestrian areas.

Piazza Eremitani in Padua

Piazza Eremitani is an ancient square in Padua. There is a large regional museum here, which houses interesting collections from the Roman, pre-Roman, Etruscan and early Christian periods. Valuable art objects are also exhibited here. Among them, Giotto's masterpiece, the Crucifixion, stands out.

Another attraction of the square is the Scrovegni Chapel, built at the beginning of the 14th century and painted by the brilliant Giotto. Many of the original frescoes are perfectly preserved.

Also on the square is an ancient church from the 14th century, the Zuckerman Palazzo and the Museum of Applied Arts.

Address: Piazza Eremitani, 35121 Padova PD

Plaza San Antonio and St. Basilica Antonia

A square in the historical center of Padua, adjacent to the main cathedral of the city - the Basilica of St. Anthony. The Basilica is the main architectural dominant of the historical center and the largest cathedral of Padua, main center veneration of St. Anthony of Padua. The basilica was built in the 13th century in Baroque style. Altichiero da Zevio, Jacopo d'Avanzo, Stefano da Ferrara, Girolamo Tessari took part in its painting.

To the left of the basilica is Donatello's masterpiece - bronze equestrian monument,dedicated to the Venetian commander.

Address: Piazza del Santo, 35123 Padova PD

Prato della Valle

Prato della Valle is the most big square Italy and one of the largest in Europe, almost 90,000 sq. meters. This is the main square of Padua, located in the southern part of the historical center.

The square received its unique shape at the end of the 18th century thanks to the Venetian governor Memmo. This is a huge green island surrounded by a canal that is crossed by 4 bridges and a fountain in the center. There are sculptures along the canal famous people- scientists, artists, doctors, politicians who lived, created and worked in Padua.

At the very edge of the square stands the Abbey of Santa Giustina, a magnificent example of the Renaissance, built in the early 16th century. An impressive architectural structure with an 82-meter bell tower with a foundation from the 12th century dominates the architecture of the square. Moreover, it looks no less impressive on the inside!

Not far from the square there is an ancient Botanical Garden, which contains more than 6,000 plants. On the south-eastern side of the square there is an ancient basilica from the 16th century.

Address: Piazza Prato della Valle, 35121 Padova PD

Specola is an old astronomical observatory, one of the symbols of Padua. There is an astronomical museum here, and from the top there is a wonderful view of the city. Once upon a time, the great Galileo himself conducted research here.

Nearby is also the Oratorio di San Michele, closely associated with in recent years the life of the famous Petrarch, as well as the 13th century Carraresi castle.

From specola it is easy to get to the city center, along the way looking at the Church of San Tommaso, Piazza Duomo and the magnificent baptistery, painted with beautiful frescoes.

The heart of Padua - squares della Ragione, della Erbe and della Frutti

Square Della Ragione is the second most important square in Padua. Here is the beautiful Palazzo della Ragione or Salone ( Big hall), one of the symbols of the city.

On the southwest corner of the square there is a 15th century tower with an astronomical clock.

Squares della Ragione, della Erbe and della Frutti are the heart medieval city, as well as the site of the daily market.

University of Padua

The University of Padua is one of the oldest universities in Europe, founded in the first half of the 13th century. Galileo, Copernicus, Harvey and many others taught and conducted research here.

A few steps away is the historic Café Pedrocchi, which has been open since 1830.

What else to see in Padua

Bridge of St. Lorenzo - a stone bridge 53 meters long.

Obelisk of Antenor - the legendary founder of Padua.

Historical gates - San Giovani and Molino.

The Church of San Nicolo is one of the most romantic places Padua. The 16th century church is located on an old medieval square.

Padua - enough Big City, one of the most beautiful in Italy. Despite the fact that its famous neighbors are Venice and Verona, many tourists also come here, because Padua has a lot to be proud of. Ancient frescoes and amazing squares are the main reasons why it’s worth sacrificing the nearby Venetian canals for at least a couple of days.

What to see in Padua on your own?

Beautiful places and main attractions: photos with descriptions in Russian.

Palace of the Mind

Palazzo Della Ragione is a wonderful masterpiece of local architecture. In the 12th and 13th centuries this building belonged to the city court. In fairness it must be said that it was 3 individual buildings, which were later covered with a huge roof. Most of the most beautiful frescoes, created by hand by Italian artists and architects, were destroyed by fires.

The uniqueness of this structure is that despite its length, it does not have columns or any other additional support. The Lamberti Tower, located at the head of the Palace, was the most high point city ​​for a while.

Cathedral Basilica of San Antonio

The Basilica of San Antonio is a stunning architectural monument built in the 13th century. Pilgrims flock to him from all over the world. And its uniqueness is that it contains the relics of St. Anthony of Padua (patron of the city).

He was a powerful man, with an immense belief in goodness and justice. He carried the word to the masses, trying to try on all the unrighteous. There are legends that his tongue remained incorruptible. The altar of the cathedral was laid out by the famous sculptor Donatello. The temple is still in operation today, so you must wear appropriate attire for visiting.

Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden is the oldest prototype of all botanical gardens, beginning its history in the 16th century. The very first tree was planted by one of the students of a medical institution in 1545 in order to study the medicinal properties of plants.

Today, the number of plants, according to rough estimates, is about 6,000 species. The uniqueness of the local flora consists of predatory plants, beautiful orchids and magnolias. The garden is under UNESCO protection. During the Second World War, partisans and participants in various resistance movements hid there.

Scrovegni Chapel

Cappella degli Scrovegni is another building, skillfully decorated with frescoes by the great Italian architect Giotto di Bondone. On the walls of the cathedral are depicted the faces of the Savior, the Virgin Mary, the Last Supper, and the Last Judgment.

The building was built at the beginning of the 14th century, with money from the moneylender and capitalist Reginaldo. Because of his stubbornness and complex character, he even ended up in the description of the seven circles of Hell in Dante's Divine Comedy. The son of Reginaldo Enrique Scrovegni, wanting to atone for the sins of his father, donated the church to the city. The building was resold several times.

Prato della Valle

Prato della Valle Square (in Italian: Prato della Valle) is the largest not only in Padua, but throughout Italy. Its territory occupies 90 thousand square meters. Until the 17th century, the area of ​​the square was a marshy area, but in 1638, wealthy residents of Venice decided to build a large theater here for fights and horse racing.

It was gradually destroyed, and the site remained a swamp. At the end of the 18th century, proposals to drain the land and use them to expand the city first appeared. After the start of work under the leadership of Simone Stratico, the foundation of an ancient Roman theater was discovered, so they decided to turn the area into a square with green spaces for local residents to spend their leisure time.

Even now the square attracts attention with its uniqueness. In the center there is an ellipse-shaped island with a green lawn. There is a canal dug around it, through which 4 bridges lead, and its banks are lined with stone. Along the sides of the canal there are 78 sculptures of famous people of Padua.

• Address: Prato della Valle, Padua, Italy

Basilica of Santa Giustina

The Basilica of Santa Giustina (in Italian: Basilica di Santa Giustina) was erected in the 6th century on the burial site of the Holy Great Martyr Giustina of Padua. She died in 304 during the period of persecution of people professing Christianity. The modern building was built in 1530 according to the design of the architect Riccio. Due to the fact that it was rebuilt several times, all the work took a little less than 100 years.

The facade is made in the Renaissance style, the church has a high bell tower and many domes. In shape it looks like a large Latin cross, 122 meters long and 82 meters wide. The interior spaces and the altar were painted by the artist Paolo Veronese. The church contains the relics of saints - Luke the Evangelist, Giustina of Padua, Prosdocius and some others. 7 bells deserve special attention, they have an impressive weight and a very clear sound.

• Address: Via Giuseppe Ferrari, 2A, Padova, Italy
• Opening hours: Mon - Fri 8:00 - 12:00, Sat 8:00 - 12:00 and 15:00 - 20:00, Sun 8:00 - 13:00 and 15:00 - 20:00

Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (in Italian: Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta) is an architectural monument of the 16th century and has a second name - the Cathedral of Padua (in Italian: Duomo di Padova). Its first building was erected in the 4th century, but in 1117 it was completely destroyed due to a strong earthquake. The cathedral was rebuilt, and its facade was made in the Romanesque style. After some time, this building was also destroyed.

Construction began for the third time in 1551 according to the design of Agostino Righetto and Andrea della Valle. Some sources claim that the artist Michelangelo supervised the work, but the authenticity of this information has not been confirmed. The construction of the cathedral lasted about 200 years and ended only in 1754.

The Renaissance façade of the building remained unfinished. Particularly noteworthy is the baptistery, which was built in the 12th century and is adjacent to the cathedral building. To this day, it has preserved frescoes on the walls and ceiling dating back to the 14th century.

• Address: Piazza del Duomo 5, Padova, Italy

Church of the Eremitani

The Church of the Eremitani (in Italian: Chiesa degli Eremitani) was built in 1276-1306 by Augustinian monks. The walls and ceiling were painted by famous artists Andrea Mantegna, Ansuino da Forli and Guariento. The church existed until the 19th century. During the First World War, by order of Napoleon Bonaparte, the building housed barracks for soldiers.

In subsequent years, the church was abandoned, and in 1944 it was heavily damaged during the bombing of the city. Many frescoes were completely destroyed, while others were severely damaged. The frescoes of A. Mantegna “The Ascension” and two scenes from the cycle about the martyrdom of St. Christopher have survived to this day. They were partially restored in 2006, but were never fully restored due to missing fragments.

• Address: Piazza Eremitani 9, Padova, Italy
• Opening hours: Mon-Sun 08.30−13.00, 16.00−19.00

Villa Contarini

Villa Contarini (in Italian: Villa Contarini) was built in 1546 for the Contarini brothers. On the territory of the villa there was a park with alleys and lakes with an area of ​​about 40 hectares. At the end of the 19th century, the Camerini family bought the villa, who carried out its complete restoration. This time is considered the second heyday of the estate, which is why it received the additional name “Villa Camerini”.

After the Second World War, the estate was abandoned. Only in 1970 did the process of its restoration begin. Over its long history, the villa was rebuilt and modified several times. Now it consists of central building, from which the left and right wings depart.

The façade is made in Baroque style and is decorated with stone trim on balconies and windows. Currently, the building is used as a hall for concerts, meetings, lectures and other events.

• Address: Via L. Camerini,1, Piazzola sul Brenta, Padua, Italy
• Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9:00−19:00 (March - October), Mon-Sun 10:00−16:00 (November - February)
• Price entrance ticket: 7 euro

Church of Santa Sofia

The Church of Santa Sofia (in Italian: Chiesa di Santa Sofia) is considered the oldest in Padua. It was built in the 10th century. Some scholars have suggested that it was built on the site ancient sanctuary in honor of the god Apollo. The façade is in Romanesque style and dates back to the first half of the 12th century. It is decorated with suspended vaults, niches and arches.

The inside walls are painted with frescoes from the 14th century. Here you can see works by 17-year-old Andrea Mantegna and other famous artists. In the mid-20th century, the church underwent extensive restoration work, thanks to which the church was able to return to its original appearance.

Not far from the apse there is a bell tower built in 1296 in the Romanesque style. Inside, the walls are painted with frescoes from the 13th and 14th centuries by students of the famous artist Giotto.

• Address: Via Santa Sofia, 102, Padua, Italy
• Opening hours: Mon - Tue 9:30-11:30, 16:00-19:30; Wed - Sat 7:30-11:30, 16:00-19:30; Sun 9:00 - 13:00, 18:30 - 20:00

Cafe "Pedrocchi"

Cafe Pedrocchi (in Italian: Caffe Pedrocchi) was opened in the 18th century. Initially, it was a small coffee shop, which over time began to generate good income. In 1831, owner Francesco Pedrocchi converted it into a coffee shop and opened a pastry shop in the adjacent building.

His son proposed to local authorities to turn an entire city block into a large coffee shop with its own factory and ice cream workshop. To create a project that could unite such different buildings in one style, he turned to the famous architect Giuseppe Iappelli. In 1891, the grandson of the first owner donated the coffee shop to the city.

Now her room is a triangle. The facade of the coffee shop is made in a neoclassical style with the addition of Gothic. On the ground floor there are 3 main halls: Red, White and Green; on the second there are 8 small halls, decorated in different styles - Roman, Greek, Egyptian, Gothic and others.

• Address: Via VIII Febbraio, 15 | Piazza Cavour, Padua, Italy
• Opening hours: Mon - Sun 8:30 - 0:00

Rotunda Garden

The Rotonda Garden (in Italian: Giardini della Rotonda) is located near the city center and is located outside the city walls, built in the 16th century. One legend is associated with the formation of this garden, according to which, during the siege of the city, residents skinned a live cat in order to scare the enemy with its screams. In memory of this, a sculpture of a cat was installed in one of the niches of the tower.

The garden was laid out in 1925 around a cylindrical water tank shaped like a rotunda, hence its name. It can be accessed via a stepped path with 5 balconies and a round fountain with lilies in the center. Each terrace is surrounded by green spaces and gravel paths.

A small number of shrubs that were planted at the beginning of the 20th century have survived to this day. The central entrance is decorated with a wrought-iron fence, and along the perimeter of the garden there are decorative and architectural elements of the last century.

• Address: Piazza Mazzini, Padua, Italy

Cittadella

Cittadella (in Italian: Citadella) is a fortress city that was founded in the 13th century as a defensive fortification of Padua. Along its perimeter there is a stone wall 1461 meters long, in which, according to the cardinal directions, there are 4 gates.

To protect the surrounding lands from capture and to protect the population during internecine wars of neighboring communes, a fortress was founded in 1220. It is a polygon and consists of 32 large and small towers connected by a protective moat. 4 were built above it suspension bridge- one for each entrance.

The height of the walls reaches 14-16 meters, and their thickness exceeds 2 meters. During the siege, hot lime mortar was poured between two parallel walls. Particular attention is drawn to the gates of Porta Bassano, where you can still see the work of the ancient lifting mechanism.

• Address: Cittadella, Veneto, Padua, Italy

Church of Santa Maria dei Servi

The Church of Santa Maria dei Servi (in Italian: Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Servi) was erected in the second half of the 14th century under the full patronage of Fina Buzzaccarini, who was the wife of the Duke of Padua. The building was built on the ruins of the Palazzo Nicolas Carrara, destroyed in 1327.

In the 16th century, a covered gallery was erected near the church. It consisted of 10 columns and was made of red marble. At the beginning of the 19th century, the church building was transferred to the city. In the 1920s, a major restoration of the church was carried out to restore its original appearance.

The building is made in the Gothic style, and its facade is decorated with arches and pilasters. Door central entrance covered with carvings and dating from the 15th century. To the right of the church building is a 14th-century bell tower, which is decorated with Gothic-style windows. In 2004, work was carried out to restore it, and all the bells were electrified.

• Address: Vicolo Dei Servi 2, Padua, Italy
• Opening hours: Mon - Fri 7:30 - 12:00, 15:30 - 19:00; Sat 9:00 - 19:30; Sun 9:00 - 12:30, 15:30 - 18:30

Church of San Clemente

The Church of San Clemente (in Italian: Chiesa di San Clemente) was founded at the end of the 12th century and during this time underwent great changes: during the reorganization of the surrounding area in the 16th century and as a result of restoration in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Currently, the church is surrounded on all sides by residential buildings and office buildings. The facade of the building is made in the Baroque style and is divided into three parts by columns, on the tops of which there are statues of the great martyrs Clement, Daniel and Justina (Justina).

There is a round window in the very center of the façade, flanked by sculptures of St. Eligius and the Prophet John the Baptist, dating back to the 17th century. The inside of the church is painted with frescoes by Italian Renaissance painters.

The main altar was built in 1782 by Luca Ferrari. He created a painting of angels surrounding Pope Clement I. The church contains a very old organ, created in the 12th century from parts of an even older instrument.

• Address: Piazza dei Signori, Padua, Italy

Arc de Triomphe of Vallaresso

The triumphal arch of Vallaresso (in Italian: Arco Vallaresso) is located on the street of the same name, Via Arco Vallaresso. It was built in 1632 by the famous architect Giovanni Battista della Scala. The arch is named after the prefect and captain Alvise Vallaresso.

In the 17th century, a plague epidemic raged in Padua, from which many city residents died. It was Captain Vallaresso who helped localize the disease by separating healthy and sick people. Thanks to this, many lives were saved, and the plague was gradually eliminated. In honor of this event, it was decided to install a memorial symbol.

The triumphal arch is built of stone and designed in the spirit of the architect Palladio. It is decorated with 4 columns and 2 niches. It connects Piazza del Duomo and Piazza del Capitanio.

• Address: Via Arco Vallaresso, Padua, Italy

Church of Santa Croce

The Church of Santa Croce (in Italian: Chiesa di Santa Croce) was founded in 1308 and had parish status, and three hundred years later a school was built in its place by the Somaschi brothers. The modern building was erected between 1737 and 1749 by one of the students of the parish school, Francesco Vecelli.

The facade is made in the Baroque style with neoclassical elements and is decorated with pilasters and half-columns. Above the main entrance there is an inscription indicating the date of the consecration of the church. The interior decoration is complemented by architectural and decorative elements.

The ceilings are decorated with gilding and stucco, and the walls and vault of the dome are decorated with frescoes by artists Nicolo Baldassini, Domenico Campagnola, Gualtieri and others. Near the main altar there are statues of two angels, which were created by the sculptor Antonio Bonazza.

• Address: Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 166, Padua, Italy

Villa Duodo

Villa Duodo (in Italian: Villa Duodo) or Villa Valle is located in the small town of Monselice, which is located next to Padua. The residence was built in 1592 for the Venetian aristocrat Francesco Duodo. It stands on top of a cliff and is designed in the Palladian architectural style.

Two residential buildings are adjacent to each other and are shaped like the English letter L. Next to them is the Church of San Giorgio. It is one of the 7 chapels that form the Sanctuary of the Seven Churches. The villa was built on the ruins ancient castle and is made of plastered with cut stone elements. It is surrounded by a beautiful park in the Renaissance style.

The villa is now privately owned and is therefore not open to the public. Only the garden and the church are accessible to visitors.

• Address: Via Sette Chiese 4, Monselice, Padua, Italy

Church of Santa Lucia

The Church of Santa Lucia (in Italian: Chiesa di Santa Lucia) was founded in the 10th century. It is located on the street of the same name, Via Santa Lucia. The building was rebuilt several times. The church underwent the biggest changes at the end of the 17th century.

The construction was led by the architect Gerolamo Frigimelica. The final stage was supervised by another architect, Sante Bonato. The church was built of brick, its facade is decorated with four columns. The portals contain sculptures of Saints Paul and Peter by Giovanni Bonazza and Saint Bartholomew by his son Antonio Bonazza.

Inside the church there is a high altar with frescoes depicting the Unbelief of St. Thomas by artist Alessandro Varotari. The walls and the second altar are decorated with paintings by Amleto Sartori and Giovanni Tiepolo.

Church of Saint Francis of Assisi

The Church of St. Francis of Assisi (in Italian: Chiesa di San Francesco d’Assisi) was built in the 15th century according to the design of the architect Nicholas Gobbo. The construction was financed by the spouses Bonafari and Sibylla Baldo.

The church is made in the Gothic style, the shape of the building resembles a Latin cross. In the 16th century it was rebuilt: it was expanded by adding part of the church with an altar. During restoration work in 1862, many unique tombstones were completely destroyed.

The church is connected to the monastery complex through a gallery supported by 37 arches. The facade of the temple is decorated with a suspended arched vault and a portico. The main entrance door is made in Baroque style. The interior of the church consists of 4 red marble columns and frescoes made in the late Gothic style.

• Address: Via San Francesco, 118 | Scuola Media Pascoli, Padova, Italy
• Opening hours: Mon - Sat 7:00 - 12:00, 16:00 - 19:45; Sun 8:30 – 12:30, 16:00 – 20:00

Bridge of San Lorenzo

The San Lorenzo Bridge (in Italian: Ponte di San Lorenzo) is considered one of the oldest arch bridges in the world. It was built in 47−30 BC. This is an ancient Roman bridge that is located over the Bacchiglione River.

San Lorenzo is one of 4 bridges that cross this river. It is located on Via San Francesco and is surrounded on all sides by various buildings. Its length is more than 53 meters and its width is 8.35 meters. The bridge is decorated with magnificent arches 12-14 meters in length, and the small-thick supports are designed so as not to create much resistance to the rapid flow of water.

Currently the bridge is located below the level modern city, so most of it is underground. The remaining three bridges are closed to the public, so in order to get acquainted with the architecture of the 1st century BC, you need to go down into the tunnel under the city.

• Address: Via San Francesco 5, Padua, Italy
• Opening hours: Tue-Sat 10:00−12:00; Tue, Wed, Sat 16:00− 18:00

Loggia Amulea

Loggia Amulea (in Italian: Loggia Amulea) was built in the mid-19th century. It is located on the most beautiful square of the city, Prato della Valle (in Italian: Prato della Valle). The loggia was erected on the site of the destroyed possessions of Cardinal Amuleo, after whom it was named.

It is a building that consists of two floors and was built in the neoclassical style. On the facade, both levels are decorated with 9 arches. On the ground floor there are sculptures of the outstanding poet Dante Alighieri and the talented artist Giotto di Bondone, both geniuses of the Renaissance.

The statues were created by the famous sculptor Vincenzo Vel. In the 20th century, the loggia building housed a fire department, and currently its premises are occupied by municipal offices. Loggia Amulea is rightfully considered one of the best decorations of the square.

• Address: Prato Della Valle 105, Padova, Italy

Palazzo del Bo

Palazzo del Bo (in Italian: Palazzo dell Bo) is an ancient building from the 16th century, which houses the University of Padua. The palace was founded at the end of the 15th century and was originally an extension to the hotel. On it hung an old sign with a picture of a bull, which the Venetians preferred to call Bo. This is how the palazzo got its name.

By the middle of the 16th century old palace became very dilapidated and practically collapsed, so it was decided to demolish it and build a new university building here. Galileo Galilei once taught there. In 1594, the Anatomical Theater was built inside, which is elliptical in shape and consists of 6 tiers. Here the dissector conducted teaching dissections, which could be observed by up to 300 students.

On the façade of the Palazzo del Bo there are about 3 thousand coats of arms of teachers and students who studied here. Currently, about 26 thousand people are studying at the university.

• Address: Via VIII Febbraio, 2, Padova, Italy
• Opening hours: Mon - Sat 7:30 - 20:00

Basilica of Santa Maria del Carmine

The Basilica of Santa Maria del Carmine (in Italian: Basilica di Santa Maria del Carmine) was founded in the 16th century on the ruins old church. It was designed by the famous architect Lorenzo da Bologna.

It was severely damaged several times and required restoration: at the end of 1696, the roof was damaged due to an earthquake, in 1800, due to an error when launching fireworks, the dome burned down in a fire, and in 1944, the building was damaged due to bombing.

The facade of the church was built in Baroque style. Inside, the walls and vault of the dome are decorated with 17th-century frescoes, and the floor is made of polychrome marble. In addition to paintings, the interior rooms are decorated with sculptures by Giovanni Bonazza. The 18th century organ, which has keys and pedals, makes a great impression. It operates entirely mechanically.

• Address: Piazza Petrarca, Padua, Italy
• Opening hours: Mon - Sun 8:00 - 12:00, 16:30 - 19:30

Church of San Gaetano

The Church of San Gaetano (in Italian: Chiesa di San Gaetano) was built in 1582-1586 according to the design of the architect Vincenzo Scamozzi. It was built on the ruins of an old church in honor of St. Francesco Piccolo.

The building has a square shape. The facade is made in Baroque style and lined with marble. Sculptures of saints and bas-reliefs are installed in the niches. The interior decoration of the church is impressive in its diversity. The walls and vault are painted with frescoes, decorated with stucco and big amount statues.

In the 19th century, a fire destroyed the neighboring monastery building, but the church was practically undamaged. Currently, it is open to the public and services are held there. Despite the fact that the church has a modest facade, the interior space is striking in its beauty.

• Address: Via Altinate 5, Padua, Italy
• Opening hours: Tue - Thu 10:00 - 12:00, 16:00 - 18:00; Fri 16:00 – 18:00

Chapel of St. George

The chapel in honor of St. George (in Italian: Oratorio di San Giorgio) is located to the right of the Basilica of St. Anthony. It was erected in 1377 by order of the Marquis Raimondino dei Lupi di Soragna. The chapel was used as a family crypt.

After death, the marquis’s body was placed in a sarcophagus, which was located in the chapel and occupied almost all of its space. By order of Napoleon Bonaparte, the sarcophagus was completely destroyed by French troops.

The interior of the chapel is represented by one nave, which in architecture is reminiscent of the Scrovegni Chapel. The walls and vault are painted with frescoes by the Verona artist Altichiero da Zevio. They depict scenes from the life of St. George the Victorious, the Great Martyr Catherine of Alexandria and St. Lucia of Syracuse.

• Address: Piazza del Santo 11, Padova, Italy
• Opening hours: Mon - Sun 9:00 - 12:30, 14:30 - 17:00

Palace of Capitani

The Capitanio Palace (in Italian: Palazzo del Capitanio) was founded in 1363 on the site of the destroyed Carraresi Palace. It was built by order of the ruler of Verona, Cansignorio della Scala.

The original purpose of the palace was protection from attack, so it was a fortress with 4 corner towers and high walls. The palazzo acquired its modern appearance in 1532.

The central part of the palace is distinguished by clock tower, made of stone designed by the architect Giovanni Maria Falconetto. It contains a clock that was created in 1477. In the 16th century, the building was rebuilt several more times. As a result, only one fortress wall was preserved.

At the end of the 19th century, the palace premises were used as a prison. The clock on the tower still works. In addition to the exact time, they show the month, day and phases of the moon.

• Address: Piazza dei Signori, 35139, Italy

Liviano Palace

The Liviano Palace (in Italian: Palazzo Liviano) was built in 1937-1939 according to the design of the famous architect Gio Ponti. It got its name from Titus Livius, who lived in the 1st century BC and was a native of Padua.

Now the palace building houses the philological and philosophical faculties of the University of Padua. The wall paintings by the artist Massimo Campiglia and the statue of Titus Livius by the sculptor Arturo Martini have been preserved here. On the third floor of the palace there is a museum of archaeological sciences and art. The most famous room in the palazzo is the Hall of the Giants (in Italian: Sala dei Giganti).

Here you can see frescoes from the 14th century, which depict famous heroes and outstanding personalities of antiquity. In the 16th century, it was almost completely destroyed by fire, but the hall was restored by the artist Domenico Campagnola. Currently, music concerts are held here.

• Address: Piazza Capitaniato, Padova, Italy
• Opening hours: Mon - Sat 7:30 - 21:00

Baptistery of the Cathedral

The Baptistery of the Cathedral of Padua (in Italian: Battistero del Duomo) is located in Piazza Duomo. It was built in the 12th century and consecrated in honor of St. John the Baptist. The Baptistery is a square building in Romanesque style, decorated with pilasters and hanging arches.

Its façade is completed by a large round dome and a cubic apse with a small dome. The interior decoration of the baptistery is represented by a large number of frescoes from the 14th century, painted by the artist Giusto dei Menabuoi. Here you can see different scenes from the Gospel: about the creation of the world, the fall of Eve, the Last Judgment and many others. In addition, the paintings reflect events from the life of John the Baptist, the earthly affairs of the Mother of God and Christ.

The main altar is decorated with an image of the Madonna and Child. The frescoes are stunning with their three-dimensionality and execution technique. They are very expressive, characterized by richness and brightness of colors.

• Address: Piazza del Duomo, Padova, Italy
• Opening hours: Mon - Sun 10:00 - 18:00
• Entrance fee: 3 euros

Chapel of St. Roch

The Chapel of St. Roch (in Italian: Oratorio di San Rocco) is connected to the Church of Santa Lucia. It was erected in 1525-1542 on the territory of the cemetery. The chapel consists of two halls, which are located above each other.

An elegant bell tower is built nearby. In the 16th century, the walls and vault of the lower hall were painted with scenes from the life of St. Roch. Here you can see works by famous painters Domenico Campagnola, Girolamo Tessari and Gualtiero Padovano. In addition, in the hall hangs a painting from the late 17th century, “Madonna and Saints,” created by Alessandro Maganza.

In the first half of the 20th century, the building underwent a major restoration, during which the vault had to be cemented. The artist Cherubini was entrusted with restoring the ancient paintings. Currently, the chapel premises are used for exhibitions.

• Address: Via Santa Lucia, Padua, Italy
• Opening hours: Tue - Sun 9:30 - 12:30, 15:30 - 19:00

Church of St. Nicholas

The Church of St. Nicholas (in Italian: Chiesa Parrocchia di San Nicolo) was founded in 1088 on the ruins of other buildings. It is located on the street of the same name, Via San Nicolo. Modern look the building received in the 16th century.

The facade of the church is built in the Lombard architectural style, and its bell tower is in the Romanesque style. The internal space is divided into 4 naves. The walls and cross-shaped vaults are decorated in light colors. The baptistery chapel contains a font dating from the 16th century.

The church houses the sarcophagus of the Forzate family, which is decorated with 14th-century paintings by an unknown artist. They are dedicated to the Madonna and Child and Saints Leonard and James. The ancient organ attracts attention, creating an amazing atmosphere in the church thanks to its music.

• Address: Via San Nicolo 6, Padova, Italy
• Opening hours: Mon - Sun 16:00 - 19:00

Church of Maria Addolorata al Torresino

The Church of Maria Addolorata al Torresino (in Italian: Chiesa Madonna Addolorata al Torresino) was founded in 1718 by the architect Girolamo Frangimelica on the site of an ancient chapel. It received its name from the chapel in honor of the Virgin of Sorrows (Madonna Addolorata), in which the miraculous image of Mary was kept in 1450.

The chapel was located in a tower of the fortress wall, so the second part of the name is Torresino (from Italian “tower”). The church is a round building with chapels attached to it on three sides. The facade is made in the Baroque style, it is decorated with four columns, sculptures of saints and angels by Francesco Bonazza and a bas-relief depicting the Virgin Mary with the dead Jesus on her knees, surrounded by angels. The internal vaults support 8 columns.

The niches contain 18th-century statues made by sculptor Francesco Bonazza, and the walls are decorated with 14th-century frescoes. Particular attention is drawn to the altar, which is made of stone and marble.

• Address: Via Andrea Memmo 47, Padua, Italy

Temple of St. Leopold Mandić

The Church of St. Leopold Mandic (in Italian: Santuario di San Leopoldo Mandic) was built in the 16th century on the territory of the Capuchin monastery. Initially it was the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

During the bombing in 1944, the building was practically destroyed. Only the cell of pastor Leopold Mandich was not damaged. He was a priest at the Capuchin monastery for more than 40 years and performed the sacrament of repentance. He was canonized in 1976 as an apostle of unity between the two Christian churches and saint.

The temple was restored by the architect Giovanni Morassuti, who gave it a modest appearance. At the end of the 20th century, the temple was consecrated in honor of Saint Leopold, who was greatly revered in the city. The façade was built in the Mannerist style, the interior space consists of one nave and is decorated with works of art from the 17th and 18th centuries. In the neighboring building is the tomb of Leopold Mandich, to which pilgrims come from all over the world.

• Address: Piazzale Santa Croce 44, Padua, Italy
• Opening hours: Mon - Sun 6:00 - 12:00, 15:00 - 19:00

La Specola

La Specola (in Italian: La Specola) is an astronomical observatory located in ancient tower former castle Carrara. When the castle lost its protective function, its premises were first used as a prison and then as a warehouse.

In the 18th century, the tower was given to the University of Padua, and in 1761 an observatory was installed here. The work was carried out according to the design of Domenico Cerato: a terrace was arranged at the top of the tower and an octagon-shaped room was built with large windows for observing the Sun.

On the lower platform a room was set up for viewing the southern side of the sky. In 1994, an astronomy museum was opened in the observatory building, and each of the 5 floors was dedicated to a specific period in the development of science. Here you can see portraits of the heads of the observatory, special devices and instruments from the 17th to 19th centuries that were used for observations.

• Address: Vicolo Dell "Osservatorio 5, Padua, Italy
• Opening hours: Sat - Sun 16:00 - 18:00
• Entrance fee: 4 euros

Padua is filled with history - from cozy streets to many architectural monuments, and every day spent here will be remembered by tourists for many years.

Listen, Allah. We have been in Italy for 7 days already, and so far we have not 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 National Museum 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 reverse 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 cathedral Duomo Cathedral di Padova. 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 preserves frescoes XIV 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 area is green Isola island 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.

Padua is a city located in northern Italy between Verona and Verona. According to archaeological data, human settlements existed in this place back in the 11th-10th centuries BC. e. After the fall of Padua, it was also destroyed and was revived again only in the 11th century AD. e.

Did you know? According to legend, the first city, called Patavium, was founded in this place by the Trojan leader Antenor after the fall of Troy.

Despite small sizes Padua is of interest to tourists in a cultural and architectural sense. Most of the attractions are concentrated in the very center of the city, and in its surroundings you can see magnificent villas of Venetian aristocrats.

Squares of Padua

Padua is often called the “city of amazing squares”. And this is no accident, because there are great amount, and visiting them will not leave any tourist indifferent.

• Prato della Vale– the largest area in and one of the largest with a size of 90 thousand sq.m. In its center there is a green island surrounded by a canal and two rows of sculptures. The square is surrounded by ancient architectural monuments, such as the Abbey of Santa Giustina, Palazzo Angeli, Loggia Amulea, which attract the attention of tourists.
• Piazza dei Signoria- the most beautiful square in the historical center of Padua, founded in the 14th century. Its architectural composition is crowned in the west by the building of the Clock Tower, and in the east by the ancient Church of San Clemente. In the past, this place was the heart of the city, where life was in full swing, festivals and knightly tournaments were held.
• Piazza delle Erbe- in past shopping mall cities. The main building of the Palazzo della Ragione square, built in the 13th century, today serves as the city hall building. In addition to trade operations, public executions were also carried out here in the past, as evidenced today by two statues of Justice holding a sword and scales.

Prato della Vale

Piazza dei Signoria

Other squares of Padua:

• Plaza Del Santo;
• Piazza della Frutta;
• Capitagnoto Square.

Architecture

Despite the more than three thousand-year history of the city, almost no monuments have been preserved in Padua ancient architecture. But it will delight tourists with classic Italian buildings from the late Middle Ages:

• Palazzo della Ragione- one of the main architectural monuments Padua, dividing the Square of Herbs and the Square of Fruits, with which it forms a single composition of the Padua Market. The building is famous for its central hall, which has no additional supports, which is considered the largest of its kind. In addition, its roof, made in the shape of a ship's hull, and walls decorated with copies of Giotto's frescoes on astrological themes also attract attention.
• Cafe Pedrocchi- this establishment is famous primarily for the fact that it worked without interruption for 85 years since 1831. Today, 3 halls are available to visitors, on the ground floor painted in the colors of the Italian flag: white, red and green, and 8 historical halls on the second floor. There is also a museum of the Risorgimento movement.
• University of Padova- one of the oldest educational institutions in medieval Europe, the first mention of it dates back to 1222. The new building, which has survived to this day, Palazzo del Bo, was founded in 1552 for the 60th anniversary of the unification of the faculties and is designed in the classical style of the Italian Renaissance. At one time, Nicolaus Copernicus, Francis Skaryna, Pico della Mirandola, Torquato Tasso and other outstanding personalities studied and taught in this place.

Cafe Pedrocchi

There are also many architectural monuments in the vicinity of Padua:

• Viña Contarena,
• Villa Moline,

• Villa Valle,
• fortified city of Cittadella.

Iconic architecture

The religious buildings of Padua are very richly presented and attract the attention of tourists not only with their architectural forms, but also with their interior decoration. Of course, such great masters as Michelangelo And Giotto.

• Basilica of Santa Giustina– a church on the site of the death of the martyr Justina in 304. The building is located in the very center of the city on Prato della Vale and belongs to the Benedictine monastic order. A piece of the relics of the Apostle Matthew and many saints of the city of Padua are kept here.
• Basilica of Sant'Antonio- dedicated to Saint Antonio, the patron saint of travelers, which attracts tourists to it. To this building, originally built in the Romanesque and Byzantine styles, side aisles were added in the Gothic style, and even later - a chapel in the Baroque style. All this created a unique architectural ensemble building. The main altar of the church, decorated with works by Donatello and other Italian painters, is also interesting.
• Scrovegni Chapel- one of central places city ​​that attracts many tourists. The main attraction of this chapel is the frescoes by Giotto from the early 14th century.

Scrovegni Chapel

Other temples of Padua:

• Church of San Francesco d'Assisi;
• Ovetari Chapel;
• Church of Santa Sofia;

• Cathedral Duomo di Padova;
• Church of San Clemente.

Parks and gardens

Padua has a large number of green spaces, and some of them are even world-class attractions. In addition, parks equipped with attractions and recreation areas are one of the best places holiday in this city.

• Botanical Garden, founded in 1545 year - the oldest academic botanical garden in the world. It was founded with the purpose of growing medicinal herbs for Faculty of Medicine and gained popularity as a place for walks only in the 18th century. At the same time, fountains with sculptures and sundials appeared here. This site, which includes more than 600 plant species, many of which are rare, has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997.
• Giardini dell'Arena– a park adjacent to the Scrovegni Chapel. Here tourists will find many ponds with clear water, floral ornaments, trees, and the main attraction of this place is the remains of a gladiator arena, preserved from antiquity.
• Della Rotonda- a garden laid out around a cylindrical water tank, from which it gets its name. The park was opened in 1925 and is divided into 5 terraces with round fountains in the middle in which water lilies float.

Botanical Garden

What to see in Padua in 1 day

Tourists planning to visit the sights of Padua on their own should know that administrative the city is divided into 6 parts, and almost all the main ones tourist sites located in the central part, therefore, you can see all the places in one day.

• Start your tour with three squares Piazza dei Signori, P. dell'Erbe, P. della Frutta in the center of Padua.
• Here you will see the first attraction - Palace of Justice.
• Next to the Palace of Justice is one of the first European universities - Università degli Studi di Padova.
• Next, follow to Piazza Duomo, where you will see Padua Cathedral.
• Leaving the cathedral through the northern exit, you will find yourself on Dietro Duomo street, following which you will find yourself in the largest square in Italy - Prato della Valle.
• Near the square you can visit Botanical Garden And Basilica of St. Anthony.
• The last point of your route will be the best attraction of the city - Scrovegni Chapel(Cappella degli Scrovegni)

Important! One of the most popular types transport in this city and a good solution for tourists is a bicycle.

Beautiful Italy - the city of Padua (video)

In this video you will see a fragment from documentary film Beautiful Italy about the city of Padua and its attractions. Enjoy watching!

What to see in Padua with children

Padua is industrial city, he is not very developed in the entertainment field. Most often, tourists stay here because of cheap accommodation, preferring entertainment in neighboring cities. However, there are several places where you can go with your children:

• water park Parco Padovaland;
• Parco Città dei Bambini;
• Amusement Park water park;

• gaming center E’ Fantasia;
• botanical garden Orto Botanico di Padova.

Waterpark Parco Padovaland

Surely children will also be interested in such places as natural museum Vivente degli insetti, and planetarium Planetario di Padova.

Perhaps our readers can suggest their own options for places to go with children in Padua? Be sure to write about them in the comments!

 

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