Padua
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 16 September 2023
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One of the oldest cities in Italy and an absolute must-see for any visit to the Veneto region, Padova or Padua using the anglicised version, is a treasure trove of sights.
Sitting astride the Bacchiglione River, among the city's treasures is the incredible oval-shaped piazza, Prato delle Valle. The square is one of the biggest in the country and many people's favourite for best piazza in Italy for its sheer scale and audacious ambition, studded with statues either side of a moat. |
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Main Sights of Padua
Such is the depth of sights in Padua that its Cathedral is not at the very top of the list in terms of famous religious buildings, the Basilica of Sant'Antonio, the Padua Baptistery and most famous of all, the Scrovegni Chapel with its frescoes by Giotto are must-see attractions while the Basilica di Santa Giustina also merits attention.
There are claims that Padua is the oldest city in Italy, dating as far back as 1183 BC but the city is characterised more by the medieval period with its narrow porticoed streets leading to bustling squares such as Piazza dei Signori and Piazza delle Erbe which are split by the imposing Palazzo della Ragione.
Such is the depth of sights in Padua that its Cathedral is not at the very top of the list in terms of famous religious buildings, the Basilica of Sant'Antonio, the Padua Baptistery and most famous of all, the Scrovegni Chapel with its frescoes by Giotto are must-see attractions while the Basilica di Santa Giustina also merits attention.
There are claims that Padua is the oldest city in Italy, dating as far back as 1183 BC but the city is characterised more by the medieval period with its narrow porticoed streets leading to bustling squares such as Piazza dei Signori and Piazza delle Erbe which are split by the imposing Palazzo della Ragione.
Padua's Two UNESCO World Heritage Listings
Padua is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its 500 year old Orto Botanico di Padova (Botanical Garden of Padua) being voted onto the list in 1997. In 2021 Padua was awarded its second UNESCO World Heritage listing under the heading "Padua's Fourteenth Century Fresco Cycles", celebrating not only the work of Giotto in the Scrovegni Chapel, but also a number of other fresco cycles in the city created by the likes of Guariento di Arpo, Giusto de’ Menabuoi, Altichiero da Zevio, Jacopo Avanzi and Jacopo da Verona.
Padua is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its 500 year old Orto Botanico di Padova (Botanical Garden of Padua) being voted onto the list in 1997. In 2021 Padua was awarded its second UNESCO World Heritage listing under the heading "Padua's Fourteenth Century Fresco Cycles", celebrating not only the work of Giotto in the Scrovegni Chapel, but also a number of other fresco cycles in the city created by the likes of Guariento di Arpo, Giusto de’ Menabuoi, Altichiero da Zevio, Jacopo Avanzi and Jacopo da Verona.
Close to Padua
With regard to a tour of Veneto, Padua is also a great strategic base from which to explore. Its close proximity to Venice is an obvious attraction but it's also within striking distance of Veneto's other major sights including Lake Garda and the Dolomites (including the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park) while the lesser-known but intriguing Euganean Hills Regional Park is just beyond the city's suburbs.
With regard to a tour of Veneto, Padua is also a great strategic base from which to explore. Its close proximity to Venice is an obvious attraction but it's also within striking distance of Veneto's other major sights including Lake Garda and the Dolomites (including the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park) while the lesser-known but intriguing Euganean Hills Regional Park is just beyond the city's suburbs.
Comune di Padova
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Province: Padua
Region: Veneto Population: 206,651 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Size: 93 km² Elevation: 12 metres Top sights: Prato della Valle, Basilica di Sant'Antonio, Baptistery Close by: Venice, Monselice, Vicenza, Cittadella, Chioggia Recommended accommodation: Hotel al Prato |
UNESCO World Heritage Site
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Botanical Garden of Padua
Year: 1997 |
Padua's Fourteenth Century Fresco Cycles
Year: 2021 |
Padua Travel
Padua is very well connected in terms of transport options. It lies between Venice to the east and Vicenza to the west with all three cities easily accessible from the A4 motorway which connects Veneto to the Lombardy region. There are also trains, buses and trams in operation throughout the city.
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Public transport: Central train station, city buses, trams
By car: Venice - 42 minutes, Treviso - 51 minutes, Verona - 1 hour |
Fly to: Venice Marco Polo Airport (48 km), Verona Airport (92 km)
By train: Venice - 27 minutes, Verona - 42 minutes |
