Padua is a small traditional Italian town that almost every inhabitant of the planet has heard of. Thousands of tourists from all over the world come here to experience the unique atmosphere of Italy, taste the local cuisine, and enjoy the extraordinary views. Padua is surrounded by beautiful nature that impresses almost every traveler.
Lovers of culture, especially the Renaissance era, will definitely be able to occupy themselves in this city. As you know, the greatest masters worked on most cities in Italy, and this locality is no exception. For example, the Scrovegni Chapel is decorated with works by the famous Giotto. In addition, the University of Padua is a classic example of the Renaissance style.
Certainly, Padua will be very interesting for active travelers. Bicycle routes are quite popular in this place and most tourists move in this way.
Attractions
Like most cities in Italy, Padua boasts a fairly impressive number of attractions. We decidedmake the top 10 of the best of them. Each of them is saturated with history, therefore, if possible, you should definitely visit these places. Of course, most of the presented attractions of Padua are easy to see on your own.
Palazzo della Ragione
In the medieval years, the Palazzo della Ragione served as the meeting room of the city court. It is still one of the largest in Europe. It may seem to many that the purpose of the hall is rather unusual for the social structure of the northern territory of the country.
As you know, the palace is located in the market of Padua. He divides it into the Grass Square as well as the Fruit Square.
The construction of the building took place in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Initially, the walls of the hall were decorated with frescoes, on which the main theme was astrology. Unfortunately, these frescoes burned down in a fire in 1420, but were restored several decades later.
The facade of the palazzo is surrounded by long arched galleries. Nowadays, they house restaurants, bars, and shops.
Inside the palace there is a very valuable landmark for the region - the Stone of Infamy. In medieval times, debtors repented on it.
Prato della Valle
The square is located in the southern part of the historical center of Padua. In addition, it is worth noting that this particular territory has the largest area in Italy.
This landmark of Padua in Italyknown for its original layout. It includes an ellipse-shaped canal located in the central part of the square. There is also a canal bridge and a double row of statues of prominent citizens of the region. They were created between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
In Roman times, on the site of the modern square, there was an imperial theater with a capacity of more than six thousand people. As is known from history, the name of the theater was Zairo. The ruins of the arena were discovered in this area in the eighteenth century, and they remained here until the nineteenth century. Later, all these remains were used to build nearby structures.
In 1775, the square was completely rebuilt under the direction of the famous architect Domenico Cerato.
University of Padua
Considered to be one of the oldest universities in Italy as well as in all of Europe. It was opened in this city in 1222. It is the main educational institution of the Republic of Venice.
The university was founded by students and teachers of the Bologna educational institution. They left this place due to the fact that they had a conflict with the authorities of the university.
During the Middle Ages, people from all over Europe studied at this institute. The University of Padua became a real center of science during the Renaissance. Many different disciplines were studied here. For example, astronomy, dialectics, medicine and more.
In modern times, the university has a lot of freedom. All this wasregulated in 1995 by statute. Now the institute has about sixty thousand students and thirteen completely different faculties.
It is also worth noting that the university has a botanical garden, which is also a kind of landmark of Padua. Many students, townspeople, as well as tourists like to walk along it. It was created in 1545 and in modern times it claims to be one of the oldest in all of Europe.
Basilica of Saint Justina
Another very popular place in Padua. This Catholic church is located on the southeastern part of Prato della Valle.
The very first church on this site was built in the sixth century on the grave of the martyr Justina of Padua. The church was rebuilt many times, and the construction of the modern building began in the sixteenth century and was completed in the seventeenth.
It is also worth saying that the dominant style in the architecture of this basilica is the Renaissance. As you know, many buildings in Italy were built in this form. Of course, features of Byzantine architecture are also noticeable here.
The interior of the premises began to be created here in the sixteenth century. The church in modern times is one of the largest and oldest in all of Europe.
Initially, the basilica served as a monastery church. in 1810 this monastery was closed by the famous French commander Napoleon Bonaparte. It was opened only a century later. After the war, the state library was placed here.
Padua Cathedral
The cathedral is considered Catholic, consecrated in the name of the Assumption of the Virgin. In modern times, it has the status of a "small basilica". In addition to the main building, the church has a b altisterium built in the twelfth century. It has frescoes from the medieval period.
The building we can see now is believed to be the third cathedral building on the site. The very first building was built back in the fourteenth century, after the Edict of Milan was published (a letter from Emperor Constantine, as well as Licinius). It fell under destruction at the beginning of the twelfth century. The next building was built in the Romanesque style. What this building looked like can be seen on the frescoes of the Italian artist, whose works are in the baptistery. The modern building was built in the Middle Ages under the leadership of the great Michelangelo. Work on this structure has been going on for more than two centuries.
Villa Contarini
This famous country estate is located in Piazzola sul Brenta near the Brenta River.
The central building of the villa began to be built in 1546. The customers were the Venetian patricians - the brothers Paolo and Francesco Contarini. The names of the architects are well documented. It is assumed that the very first building was designed by the great Italian architect Andrea Palladio. The expansion of the territory during the Baroque era was watched by such famous people as Vincenzo Scamozzi, as well as Baldassere Longhena.
Many tourists are attracted to this place becausedue to the fact that it is surrounded by a very picturesque park. Its area is more than forty hectares. There are fishing farms, lakes, alleys.
Botanical Garden
The famous botanical garden is another attraction in Padua. The reviews for this place are great. As mentioned above, it is located near the University of Padua.
It is known that the first project was designed by Daniel Barbaro. From the very beginning, this place was surrounded by a wall, thus protecting the garden from the attack of robbers.
For such a long period of existence, the garden has been improved many times. The main buildings in it were built in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In addition, decorative changes took place during the same period. For example, a small fountain was placed near the botanical garden. Also at the beginning of the nineteenth century, several greenhouses were updated, and a theater was also built for students and teachers from the University of Padua.
It is also worth noting the fact that this attraction is a World Heritage Site and protected by UNESCO.
Entrance ticket for adults costs about four euros at the moment, and one euro for a child.
Eugean Hills Regional Park
This place is considered a natural park, on the territory of which famous resorts are located. It extends over hilly terrain of volcanic origin. Its area is more than nineteen thousand hectares. It can be visited atcar, bike, and walk.
The Euganean Hills are also considered an island of natural nature. It is under protection and also has the status of a park-reserve with a very rich and diverse vegetation. For example, here you can enjoy very generous gifts of the earth at almost any time of the year. There are cherries, strawberries, blackberries and more.
Many we althy citizens have their own residences here or countryside villas of their own. This is the place where you can have a great time.
The Euganean Hills will captivate people with their charm. There are majestic gardens, as well as landscape architecture.
Scrovegni Chapel
Another very popular attraction in Padua. This chapel is dedicated to the Mother of God. And initially its official name was the Church of St. Mary the Merciful. The first stone was laid here in 1300. The chapel was illuminated in 1303. In subsequent years, this date became the main holiday for this place.
In addition, behind the modest walls of this structure hides the greatest achievement of mankind. Frescoes by the great Giotto di Bonde are kept here. They are considered a great asset of Western Europe. The largest part of the walls is occupied by images of the fresco "Judgment Day". The rest of the building is decorated with scenes related to the Nativity of Christ.
San Giorgio Chapel
There are many great reviews about this attraction in Padua. Many Russian tourists really like to visit this place,because it is steeped in history.
This chapel is dedicated to the Great Martyr George. The building is considered an extension to the Basilica of St. Anthony. It was commissioned by the Marquis Raimondino Lupi di Soragna in the fourteenth century. Previously, it was used as a family tomb.
On the walls of such a popular landmark of Padua (Italy) there are more than twenty large compositions, as well as one hundred small ones. Basically, all the frescoes are dedicated to the life of St. George, St. Lucy, and Catherine of Alexandria.
Sights of Padua in one day
Russian tourists come to Padua not so often or only for one day, passing through. It is for this reason that I would like to list the sights of the city of Padua (Italy), which are worth seeing in the first place. For starters, it’s worth taking a walk to the University of Padua, you can visit the Botanical Garden, as well as the Palazzo della Ragione. Seeing the sights of Padua on your own is very easy and simple, since the city is small. We wish you good luck in your travels.
