Padova
| Offers: Padova | Prices per person/night |
|---|---|
| Hotels | from EUR 28.00 |
Elevation: 12 m
Residents: 209641
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Particularly interesting are the 14th and 15th century frescos: from famous master pieces by Giotto in the Cappella degli Scrovegni to less-known frescos like the ones by Giusto de Menabuoi in the baptistery of the cathedral and in the chapel of the beatified Luca Belludi al Santo and other works worth seeing.
Padova is also the city of the Saint, as the population of Padova tenderly calls St. Anthony. The majestic cathedral erected shortly after his death hosts innumerable art treasures gathered during the centuries. The century-old devotion attracts each year thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. Apart from the cathedral there are many other churches worth visiting.
You will start getting to know and to love Padova by simply visiting the lanes of the town centre, by sitting in the renowned Café Pedrocchi, by strolling through market stalls and shops or by attending a number of enchanting concerts and theatre performances.
Padova, its history
The history of Paduan civilisation can be discovered in the Eremitani Civic Museums with its picture gallery and the sections of numismatics and archaeology, but also in the university which has influenced the culture and city life since 1222. From its history remain the oldest permanent anatomic theatre, Europe´s oldest university botanic garden and the Galileo cathedral.
Padova is also a city of water: there is a number of boats with which it is possible to navigate along an impressive river course, on the inner canals of the city along Venetian Renaissance walls down to the vicinity of the town centre or among lush vegetation, antique and modern palaces and under one charming bridge after the other.
Better known as the city of St. Anthony, Padova is one of the major art cities in Italy, characterised by 3000 years of history.
Since the 4th century the most important centre of the Veneto region, Patavium became one of the most prosperous cities of the Roman empire. Unfortunately only the remains of the amphitheatre, some bridges and the precious exhibits in the Civic Museum have been preserved. In fact the city was totally destroyed by the Langobards in 602. The rebuilding proceeded slowly and was led by the diocesan and St. Giustina Benedictin clergy.
In the 12th century Padova became a free city. In the following two centuries it experienced a rapid development and thanks to the reign of the Carraresi ( 1338-1405) it reached the height of its political power extending its dominion to a large part of the central Veneto region. It was a period of religious, economical and cultural frenzy that left lasting traces in the city: the medieval town walls, the large civil and religious buildings, especially the Basilica del Santo begun in 1232 and the university founded in 1222, the second important university in Italy to which teachers and students come from all over Europe.
Padova: city of arts
The artistic panorama is dominated by the figure of Giotto who creates a masterpiece in the Cappella degli Scrovegni in Padova. After the renowned Florentine artist come Guariento, Altichiero, G. de´ Menabuoi who paint impressing fresco cycles. In 1405 Padova became part of the mainland of Venice, but thanks to Donatello and Mantegna it maintained artistic superiority until the middle of the 15th century . In the 16th century, under Venetian dominion, Padova experienced an exstensive renewal.
A new fortified town wall which defined Padova´s final shape was erected. New public buildings and majestic churches were built. The university experiences a period of great splendour. Galileo Galilei taught there and the botanic garden and the anatomic theatre, the first in Europe, were inaugurated.
With the construction of Prato della Valle toward the end of the 18th century the Venetian dominion ended after four hundred years. Padova became part of Austria until the annexation by Italy in 1866. In spite of the devastation of the war and some not environmentally friendly constructions Padova has preserved its unmistakable urban structure made of arcaded narrow lanes and monumental squares, modest houses and majestic buildings that hold splendid treasures.
Daily from 8 am - 10 pm
Consorzio di Promozione Turistica Giotto
Riviera dei Mugnai 8
35137 Padova, Italy
