Tourist information on Padua, Italy

Padua (known locally as Padova) is a city in northeast Italy and the capital of the province of the same name. It is situated on the Bacchiglione River in the Veneto region, 40 km west of Venice and 29 km southeast of Vicenza, and is the economic centre of the area. In the middle ages, Padua was one of the leading centres of learning in the world and became a major hub of culture during the Renaissance. With its maze of narrow streets and grand public squares adorned by well-preserved historical buildings, Padua has a unique character and it is not hard to see why it is one of the most popular travel destinations in Italy.

According to local tradition, Padua dates back to the 12th century BC, when it was founded by the Trojan prince Antenor. By the 4th century BC, it was a modest fishing village, but it grew to become a town of some importance, Patavium, under the Roman Empire. Once Rome had fallen, Padua was prone to invasion from Germanic tribes. Virtually all of its Roman structures were destroyed when the city was sacked by the Lombards in 602 AD. After a protracted recovery, Padua developed its own system of government and became self-reliant by the 12th century. It grew in wealth and power during the 13th and 14th centuries, under the benign leadership of the Carrara family, and became an important centre of culture and learning. The foundation of its university (Italy's second) in 1222 and the enlightened patronage of wealthy Paduans attracted great artists and philosophers. When the Carrara rule ended in 1405, the city came under the control of Venice, and remained so until the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797, when Padua was annexed by Austria. After Padua was reclaimed by Italy in 1866, it was one of the poorest areas of the country. Over the next fifty years, it experienced a period of rapid economic development and regained its prestige as an important centre of industry and culture. Between the world wars of the 20th century, Padua was, in common with much of Italy, caught up in social and political turmoil and succumbed to the lure of Fascism. Parts of the city were ravaged by Allied bombing during the Second World War, but Padua rapidly recovered after the war and is now one of the most prosperous areas in Italy.

Padua's wealth of historic architecture bears witness to the city's importance as a major centre of culture throughout the Renaissance. Its best-known ecclesiastical building is the 13th century Basilica di Sant'Antonio (Saint Anthony's Basilica), located in the Piazza del Santo. Whilst predominantly Romanesque and Gothic in design, its many cupolas give it a striking Byzantine appearance. It houses the relics of St Anthony in a chapel adorned with carved marbles and is visited every year by millions of pilgrims. Adjacent to the basilica is the Oratorio de San Giorgio, a lavishly frescoed hall, and a square dominated by Donatello's equestrian statue of the Venetian general Gattamelata.

In the north of the city centre is Padua's other principal landmark, the Cappella degli Scrovegni (Scrovegni's Chapel), a well-preserved 14th century Gothic chapel known for its rich interior decorations. A remarkable series of frescos painted by Giotto adorn the walls and the ceilings. It is known as the Arena Chapel because it is situated near the remains of a Roman amphitheatre. Nearby is another interesting church, Chiesa Eremitani, which was built early in the 13th century and is distinguished by its unusual wooden ceiling and medieval tombs. The Duomo (cathedral), designed by Michelangelo, may be smaller than the city's two basilicas and may have a depressingly plain façade but the interior is quite stunning. The adjoining baptistery is sumptuously decorated in frescos by Giotto. Another important religious complex is the abbey and basilica of Santa Giustina, founded in the 5th century. This houses both St Justina's tomb and art dedicated to her, as well as the tombs of several other saints, including St Prosdocimus, St Maximus, St. Urius and St. Felicitas. Santa Sofia is believed to be Padua's oldest church. Founded in the 10th century, it combines Romanesque-Gothic and Byzantine styles.

The Palazzo del Capitaniato, the grand residence of the Venetian governors, is to be found in the Piazza dei Signori, Designed by Andrea Palladio, this was built in 1571 and is now used by the town council. It can be recognised by its 16th century clock tower and an ornate 14th century astronomical clock. Nearby is the Loggia della Gran Guardia, built in Lombardesque style in 1532 by Falconetto. One of Padua's most visible landmarks is the Prato della Valle, which is one of Europe's largest and most beautiful squares. Elliptical in shape, it consists of a large grassy area at its centre surrounded by a line of 78 statues. This is often used as the venue for large public events, such as fairs and concerts.

Between the Piazza della Frutta and Piazza delle Erbe is one of Padua's grandest historical buildings, the Palazzo della Ragione, a large hall which dates back to the 13th century. The whole structure is supported by arches and its walls are decorated in frescos. On the ground floor, there are a number of market shops, whilst its upper floor is a large hall that is given over to artwork and exhibitions. Hemmed in between the Piazza della Frutta and the Via Roma is the Jewish Ghetto, consisting of narrow streets with many small art galleries and bars.

The historic city centre is surrounded by its 11 km-long city walls, which were erected in the 16th century. Although much of the wall is in ruins, there still remains two gates and a castle, the main tower of which was converted into an astronomical observatory in the 18th century. Another of the city's attractions are is bridges across the River Bacchiglione. The best-known of these is the Ponte Molino, a segmented arch bridge constructed by the Romans in the 1st century BC. This offers some impressive views of the surrounding scenery. Padua's other Roman bridges are: Ponte San Lorenzo, Ponte Altinate, Ponte Corbo and Ponte S. Matteo.

Attached to the University is the Orto Botanico di Padova, the oldest botanical garden in the world. Founded in 1545 to cultivate predominantly medicinal plants, it covers an area of 22,000 square metres and is now stocked with plants from across the globe, including many rare specimens. There is a section that is dedicated to the collection and preservation of species of plant that are in danger of extinction. Eremitani Civic Museum contains an archaeological museum with a collection of Roman-era artefacts dating back to the 3rd century BC, and also a picture gallery, with major work by Titian, Tintoretto, Giotto and Bellini. Another interesting musum is Belzoni Museo-Laboratio di Antichi Strumenti Scientifici, which houses a large collection of old scientific instruments.

The nearest international airport to Padua is Venezia Marco Polo Airport, 50 km away. A frequent bus service operates from the airport to the centre of Padua. Within the city centre, there is a tramway and bus network, which both provide a convenient way to get between the city's main tourist attractions. Padua's central train station is a major rail hub for the whole of the Veneto area and offers connections to other cities in Italy, including Venice, Bologna, Milan, Florence, Verona and Belluno.