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Probably better known as the city of St. Anthony or as the economic capital of Veneto,
Padua is one of the most important Art Cities in Italy.
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Padua's treasure is the Scrovegni Chapel, Giotto's masterwork; the Giotto chapel official home page tells you how you can book tickets (the reservation is compulsory, online reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance). |
The adjacent Eremitani Church, built at the turn of 13th century, has a wonderful wooden ceiling, due to Fra' Giovanni, and many monumental tombs.Badly damaged by bombing in 1944, it keeps in the Presbytery some frescoes by Guariento (1368 1370) and some juvenile masterpieces by Andrea Mantegna (1448-1457) in the Ovetari Chapel.
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Not far away, separating Piazza delle Erbe from Piazza della Frutta, stands Palazzo della Ragione, commonly called Il Salone, a building of 1218, rebuilt in 1306 by Fra' Giovanni degli Eremitani. A busy market occupies daily the ground floor and the adjoining Piazze. The upper floor is one vast hall (81 mt long, 27 mt wide and 27 mt large). On the walls is an interesting cycle of frescoes of religious and astrological subjects (1425-1440). |
| The nearby Piazza dei Signori is attractively enclosed by buildings. On the W side, Palazzo del Capitanio (1599-1605) incorporates the Torre dell'Orologio with its astronomical clock dating from 1344. The arch is by G.M. Falconetto. Beyond the Arco dell'Orologio is Piazza Capitaniato with the building of the arts faculty, the Liviano. It incorporates the Sala dei Giganti with frescoes dating from the 16th century. |
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Padua is also a pilgrimage city, millions of pilgrims come here every year to visit the "Basilica di Sant’Antonio", where the grave of St. Anthony is preserved. |
| 'Prato della Valle' is a huge oval form island surrounded by a channel, in the middle of one of Europe's largest square. There are many sculptures on the channel sides. These sculptures are representations of culture and art personalities. |
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Between the 'Prato della Valle' and the Basilica there’s one of the most interesting Botanical gardens in Europe: the "Orto Botanico" (1545), with exotic flowers and plants. It’s another recommended visit in this city. The Garden was in its origins dedicated to cultivate natural medicines. |
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Tourist information:
- official website
- download a small brochure
- touristic map (if flashing save it on your HD)
Information and free city maps are available at Tourist Information Office, in Galleria Pedrocchi, behind Caffè Pedrocchi, near Palazzo Bo and City Hall.
Opening hours: Monday - Saturdays 9am-1.30pm; 3pm-7pm. Closed on Sundays.
PadovaCard is your passport to the city of Padova and its surroundings. It offers free or reduced access to a host of monuments and attractions as well as public transports and parking places.
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Venice • Brenta River • Vicenza, Bassano, Marostica • Padova, Euganean Hills, Walled towns
• Treviso and the 'Marca' • Chioggia, Rovigo and the Po' Delta • Verona and its surroundings
Veneto Guide
Another touristic website with a lot of pictures
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