Padova, PD

Bike Veneto, italy -  Padova Province

City of Padova

Padua or Padova is a journey into the past and in the present, amongst ancient history, traditions and art. Padua is a city full of beauty, and this can be seen in places like the restored Building of Reason and the Loggia of the Carraresi family that gives you the idea of the splendor of the Carraresi rule, in the Chapel of the Scrovegni with its precious frescoes by Giotto, in sculptures by Donatello or in the more modern lines of the Libeskinds monument.

Located along the main rail line from Venice to Milano the city is probably best known as the city of St. Anthony, for the University or as the economic capital of the Veneto.  The industrial and commercial built up has given Padova the chatoic traffic and ugliness of a modern city.  However, with some new road developments and the increase awareness to tourism Padova is once again becoming one of the most important Art Cities in Italy, and a joy to visit.

How to visit the city:

Padua (Padova) is a main stop on all train line moving east and west from Venice to Milano, and the for lines moving north and south from Florence and Bologna to Venice (Venezia).  Padua is a perfect half day stop or over night visit is you are passing through the area.  There are several other things to see outside the city and that can occupy two to three days on your travel plans.  Depends on your interest area.  The city is one big art and history display with lots of venues to visit, you can get overwhelmed quickly and there is lots walking.

  General History of the City:

Many do not realize that Padova has over 3000 years of history, as established settlement. Founded as a fisherman’s village, in the 4th century BC, along the Brenta River.  Allied to the Romans against the Gauls and becoming an municipum in 45 BC.  Patavium was one of the most flourishing towns of the Roman Empire, and a common area the empire settled retired solider's from the Legion. Unfortunately, due to the destruction of the town by the Longobards in 602, there are few remnants of the Roman Era: the ruins of the great Amphitheater, some bridges are all the evidence that still exist along with the grided farm lands just to the northeast of the city.

During the Dark Ages Padova experienced a period of extraordinary economic and cultural growth, that has left an indelible mark on the town: the Mediaveval City Walls, the great civil and religious buildings , the foundation of the university (1222), the second in Italy which still attracts masters and students from all of Europe. The art of that period is domiated by the figure of Giotto, leaving in Padua his masterpiece, the decoration of the Scrovegni Chapel; but the grat Florentine master is followed by Guariento, Altichiero, Giusto de’Menabuoi, who leave wonderful cycles of frescoes.

With all the fighting between fedual lords and the larger imperial powers of nothern Europe Padova was in decline in the early parts of the renissance but in the 16th century, under the government of the Serene Republic (Venezia), Padova had a great renewal. With the building of a formidable ring of walls and bulkwards that establishes the definitive urban shape surrounds the town, the town was once again secure and new buildings and solemn churches rise up; the University goes through a period of great splendor: Galilee, amongst other, teaches here.

The magic scenography of prato della Valle rounds off, at the end of the 18th century, the four centuries of Venetian domination. Padova passes to Austria until the annexation to the Kingdom of Italy (1866).

In spite of the destruction due to wars and of some disrespect to the environment  during rebuilding, Padova conserves almost all its unique urban structure within the old walls: a tangle of narrow streets with arcades and of monumental squares, of humble houses and of imposing buildings. This compact "old city" holds many wonderful treasures, for the clever visitor to discover.

How to get to Padova:

By Car:  The A-4 autostrade runs right by the city exit and enter the city.  There are mulitple parking lots within the city to leave your car.

By Train: The main Milano to Venice line stops in Padova, the station is also the point where many trains turn south for Bologna and Florence.  If you use an Eurostar train Padova is a nice day trip from Bologna, Milano, and Florence.  Local and Regional trains make it an easy day trip from Venice, Vicenza, Ferrara, and Verona. 

By Bicycle: A city bike works great to get around the city. Most sites are far enough apart that you either need to use the bus system, have a good pair of walking shoes or ride a bike.  The city is making designated bike paths but the entire system is not completely interlinked.  If you are planning on bike touring in the area I do not recommend riding through the city to visit along your route.  This is a place to take the day to see, so as a start point, rest day activity or end on your route it works great, otherwise ride around.

Things to see:

• Palazzo della Ragione - separates Piazza della Fruta from Piazza della Erba. this is were the market is held daily. Built in the 1200's on a recangular plan, Giotto had done several works, that were destroyed by fire but later restored.  Another great place to see some of Giotto's work.
• Piazza dei Signori - your will find the Loggia del Consiglio, Arco dell'Orologio, Museo di Scienze Archeologiche a Art.
• Battistero - 12th century baptistery with frescoes by Menabuio
• Duomo - when rebuilt in 1551 was reconstrusted to a design by Michelangelo
• Museo Diocesano di Arte Sacra - housed in the Palazzo Vescovile (Bishop's Palace).
• Piazza Insurrezione
• I Carmini - complex of the Church of teh Carmelites or also know as S. Maria del Camine
• Nuovi Musei di Palazzo Zuckerman - open in 2004 this is a great visit
• Museo di Mineralogia - mineralogical collection of the Veneto
• Cappalla degli Scrovegni - the Scrovegni Chapel, named after the man who built it, but more famous of the frescoes by Giotto.
• Eremitani - church dedicated to St Philip and St James
• Musei Civici agli Eremitani - paintings by Giorgione, Titian, and Giovanni Bellini.
• Museo di Storia della Fisica -  collection of scientific instruments from the 16th to 20th century. 
• S. Sofia - oldest church in Padova
• Piazza Cavour - this is where you will find the Caffè Pedrocchi, once know as the "cafe with on doors" because it stayed oped all night.
• via VIII Febbraio - this is where the univeristy is located.
• via S. Francesco - you find Piazzale Antenore where the tomb of Antenor, the mythical founder of Padua, (it is actually the tomb of a warrior from the 2nd or 4th centruy.
• via Roma - one of Padova's buisest streets and lots of shops
• Prato della Valle - one of Euorpe's largest squares.
• Orto Botanico - houses thousands of plant species
• S. Antonio - At Anthony's Basilica is one of Italy's most famous sancturaries, built for Saint Anthony who was born in Lisbon in 1195 and died in Padova in 1231.