Prato della Valle
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The Prato della Valle is a quite extraordinary piazza and one of the highlights of the city of Padua in the Veneto region.
Its unusual shape is just the first thing that distinguishes it from other Italian piazzas: at ground level its dimensions are similar to those of a stadium or arena. Translating as "Lawn of the Valley", it's the centrepiece of the world's most beautiful traffic roundabout. |
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One of the most pleasant public spaces in Italy, it takes the form of an elliptical garden with an outer circle of lawn separated from the inner garden by a filled moat. Two central walkways criss-cross the central garden and are finished by a total of four ornate bridges that traverse the moat. Each side of the moat is lined by a series of statues which total 78 in number.
Padua itself is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and Prato della Valle is both a great introduction to it and a great place from which to start an itinerary, not least because there's a large public car park within a short walk of it. Close to the car park at the southern end of the piazza is one of the finest churches in Padua: the Abbazia di Santa Giustina, which is just across the road from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Botanical Garden of Padua.
Padua itself is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and Prato della Valle is both a great introduction to it and a great place from which to start an itinerary, not least because there's a large public car park within a short walk of it. Close to the car park at the southern end of the piazza is one of the finest churches in Padua: the Abbazia di Santa Giustina, which is just across the road from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Botanical Garden of Padua.
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Category: Squares of Italy
City: Padua Region: Veneto Regional district: Padua Province Landmarks: Santa Giustina Abbey, Loggia Amulea, Orto Botanico Close by: Basilica di Sant'Antonio, Padova Baptistery Recommended accommodation: Hotel al Prato |
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