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Padova & Vicenza

Padova is famous for the Scrovegni Chapel with frescoes by Giotto from the 13th century and for the stunning Basilica of St Anthony from the 13th century, with Byzantine-style domes and remarkable works of art. Padua's old town is characterised by arcades, chic cafés and good restaurants.

Padova: Cathedral & Prato della Valle
Padova: Cappella dei Scrovegni & Musei civici agli Eremitani
Padova: Piazza delle Erbe & Palazzo della Ragione
Padova: Basilica di Sant'Antonio & Botanical Garden
Sights Vicenza
Restaurants
Events

1. Padova: Cathedral & Prato della Valle

Padua Cathedral, the Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, is located to the west of the Piazza delle Erbe, a little away from the centre. It has a simple exterior and a rather plain interior.

The baptistery next to it is quite different. From the outside, it almost looks like an Orthodox church - and the numerous frescoes on the walls and the huge painted dome also give this impression from the inside. You can hardly get enough of it. The Battistero is a must-see attraction in Padua.

The large square, called Prato della Valle, is one of the largest city centre squares in Europe.

An enormous oval is surrounded by statues depicting all the famous men who have taught and learnt here. A moat runs around the oval. Colossal popes and doges stand on the four bridges that lead up to it; the others, smaller, are occupied by guilds, partisans and foreigners.

The Basilica of St Justina Basilica Santa Giustina is located directly on the Prato della Valle. Santa Giustina was an early Christian martyr. The first church was built over her grave as early as the 5th century. Today's basilica is an abbey church belonging to a Benedictine monastery and is one of the largest churches in the world.

Caffè Pedrocchi, magnificent 19th century café with coffee, cocktails, savoury dishes and desserts. The café is located in the centre, near Piazza Cavour.

Link: https://padovacultura.padovanet.it/ - Information about sights and museums of Padova

2. Padova: Cappella dei Scrovegni & Musei Civici agli Eremitiani

The Scrovegni Chapel is a small, rather inconspicuous church from the outside, but inside it is an absolute treasure on 900 square metres: between 1303 and 1305, Giotto not only painted a Last Judgement here, but also three cycles of paintings from the history of salvation: the life of Mary, the childhood of Jesus and, of course, the Passion story. The frescoes are impressive, with a wealth of detail and colour. The realism in facial expressions and gestures was revolutionary for the early 14th century.

The Civic Museums of the Eremitani (Musei civici agli Eremitani) are a museum complex in Piazza Eremitani. The civic museums include the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Medieval and Modern Art. Since 1985, it has been housed in the cloister of the former monastery of the Eremitani monks. For some years now, the interesting Palazzo Zuckermann opposite and the Museo Bottacin have also been part of the municipal museums. Attached to the complex is the Scrovegni Chapel with the famous cycle of frescoes by Giotto.

Link: http://www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it/ - Information on the Cappella degli Scrovegni chapel

3. Padova: Piazza delle Erbe & Palazzo della Ragione

The political centre of the city was unmistakably the Palazzo della Ragione, near the Piazza delle Erbe. It still retains its medieval appearance today. There is still a market on the ground floor where you can buy all kinds of culinary delicacies. The upper floor is a museum and you can admire the large council chamber.

The building was originally designed as a market and court building, but was later used primarily for representative purposes.

In the first half of the 15th century, the hall was painted with a cycle of frescoes depicting allegories, astrological and religious symbols. Palazzo della Ragione is surrounded by three squares: Piazza delle Erbe to the south, Piazza della Frutta to the north and Piazza dei Signori with the clock tower to the west. There are bars and various good restaurants in the area around these three squares.

5. Sights Vicenza

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6. Restaurants

Ristorante Belle Parti

Excellent cuisine, romantic ambience, friendly service.

Address Via Belle Parti 11, Padova

Phone +39 049 875 18 22

Rest day Sunday

Tola Rasa

Really unusual, stylish interior design, with furnishings that have been thought through down to the smallest detail. Cuisine at a high level.

Address Via Vicenza 7, Padova

Phone +39 049 72 30 32

Fuel Ristorante in Prato

The restaurant is situated near the Prato, but despite its central location, this restaurant is excellent. The food is excellent and the staff is very friendly.

Address Prato della Valle 4/5, Padova

Phone +39 393 916 30 28

Rest day Sunday

7. Events

Events in Padua:

Future Vintage Festival
La Fiera delle Parole (The Word Fair)
Sherwood Festival
Padova Marathon

Basilica of Sant'Antonio

Prato della Valle

Palazzo della Ragione

Botanical Garden

Palazzo della Ragione Padova

Padova

Palazzo della Ragione in Piazza delle Erbe

Botanical Garden

Cappella degli Scrovegni

Caffè Pedrocchi Padova

Basilica di Santa Giustiziana

Padova

4. Padova: Basilica di Sant'Antonio & Botanical Garden

By far one of the most important sights in Padua is the Basilica of St Anthony (Basilica di Sant'Antonio), built in the 13th century after the death of the saint. Three million pilgrims from all over the world come to Padua every year to pray at the tomb of one of the Catholic Church's most popular saints.

Over the course of time, the church was continually extended with side aisles, domes and towers, creating a complex complex that is well worth seeing.

Link: https://www.santantonio.org/en - Information on the Basilica of Sant'Antonio di Padova, information also available in english.

The Botanical Gardens of Padua (Orto Botanico) are not far from the Basilica of St Anthony. Today partially covered with glass, it is the oldest botanical garden of its kind. It was created in 1545 as a garden for the University of Padua and was used for research into plants, including their medicinal uses.

Link: https://www.ortobotanicopd.it/en/ - Botanical Garden of Padua, information also in English.