Discover Padua and Its Surroundings
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2647_05_C415_PADOVA_GB 17-05-2006 10:36 Pagina A Realized with the contribution of www.turismopadova.it PADOVA (PADUA) Cittadella Stazione FS / Railway Station Porta Bassanese Tel. +39 049 8752077 - Fax +39 049 8755008 Tel. +39 049 9404485 - Fax +39 049 5972754 Galleria Pedrocchi Este Tel. +39 049 8767927 - Fax +39 049 8363316 Via G. Negri, 9 Piazza del Santo Tel. +39 0429 600462 - Fax +39 0429 611105 Tel. +39 049 8753087 (April-October) Monselice Via del Santuario, 2 Abano Terme Tel. +39 0429 783026 - Fax +39 0429 783026 Via P. d'Abano, 18 Tel. +39 049 8669055 - Fax +39 049 8669053 Montagnana Mon-Sat 8.30-13.00 / 14.30-19.00 Castel S. Zeno Sun 10.00-13.00 / 15.00-18.00 Tel. +39 0429 81320 - Fax +39 0429 81320 (sundays opening only during high season) Teolo Montegrotto Terme c/o Palazzetto dei Vicari Viale Stazione, 60 Tel. +39 049 9925680 - Fax +39 049 9900264 Tel. +39 049 8928311 - Fax +39 049 795276 Seasonal opening Mon-Sat 8.30-13.00 / 14.30-19.00 nd TREVISO 2 Sun 10.00-13.00 / 15.00-18.00 AIRPORT (sundays opening only during high season) MOTORWAY EXITS Battaglia Terme TOWNS Via Maggiore, 2 EUGANEAN HILLS Tel. +39 049 526909 - Fax +39 049 9101328 VENEZIA Seasonal opening AIRPORT DIRECTION TRIESTE MOTORWAY A4 Travelling to Padua: DIRECTION MILANO VERONA MOTORWAY A4 AIRPORT By Air: Venice, Marco Polo Airport (approx. 60 km. away) By Rail: Padua Train Station By Road: Motorway A13 Padua-Bologna: exit Padua Sud-Terme Euganee. Motorway A4 Venice-Milano: exit Padua Ovest, Padua Est MOTORWAY A13 DIRECTION BOLOGNA adova. Discover Riviera dei Mugnai, 8 35137 PADOVA Tel. +39.049.8767911 Padua and its Fax +39.049.650794 P www.turismopadova.it surroundings. [email protected] Provincia Parco Regionale di Padova dei Colli Euganei July 2006 © Photos: Archivio Turismo Padova Terme Euganee, Consorzio Pro Loco del Cittadellese, Consorzio Terme Euganee, Consorzio Battellieri Padova, F. e M. Danesin, Gabinetto Fotografico del Comune di Padova, A. Getuli, M. Lasalandra, G. Mattoschi, F. Meneghetti, Messaggero S. Antonio, Museo del Precinema, Museo Diocesano di Padova, Museo Nazionale Atestino, Ottica La Fotografica, Parco Regionale Colli Euganei, F. Rossi, F. Sabbion, L. Tomasin. 2647_05_C415_PADOVA_GB 17-05-2006 10:36 Pagina 2 3000 years of history. Venetian rule. Venice fortified Padua with new walls, increased Discover Padua and its province. the power of the University, and the venetian nobility invested their capitals on the paduan land, where beautiful villas “Antenor, from the midst of Grecian hosts, were erected. The decadence of the Serenissima (1797) and the Could pass secure, and pierce th' Illyrian coasts, upcoming of the Napoleonic imperialism put an end to one A land of History, Where, rolling down the steep, Timavus raves of the most extraordinary historical, artistical and cultural ages And thro' nine channels disembogues his waves. of Europe. The French and the Austrian dominations, and Art, Spas and Nature. At length he founded Padua's happy seat, the two World Wars produced a long period of economic and And gave his Trojans a secure retreat; cultural standstill, from which Padua, as the rest of Veneto, recovered with a new and reinforced conscioussness starting Padua is one of the most charming and dynamic cities There fix'd their arms, and there renew'd their name, from the second half of the 20th century. Today Padua is one in Italy. The city centre boasts a wealth of fine medieval, And there in quiet rules, and crown'd with fame.” of the main economic centres of Veneto and of Italy, renaissance and modern architecture; here a fascinating mix Virgil, Aeneid, I, 242-249 an important motorway, railway and waterway junction, which of historic and new, of centuries-old traditions combined connects Italy with the rest of Europe, and last but not least with metropolitan rhythms creates a unique atmosphere. The Greek poet Virgil celebrates with these verses the legend a beautiful city of art and culture. The medieval palaces, churches and cobbled streets emanate that speaks of Antenor as the mythical founder of Padua. The a sense of history and culture, the shops, markets historical Padua was actually founded over 3000 years ago, and locals, a sparkling vitality and vibrant modern life. during the Paleoveneti age, when the old Veneti people were famous thanks to their excellent breed of horses. In the year 45 b.C. the town became a Roman Municipium. Thanks to thriving commerce, fruitful land and abundance of waterways, Patavium was one of the most important and powerful centres of the Roman Empire. During the Barbarian invasions the town was razed to the ground by command of Langobard king Agilulf (601 A.D.) It was only after the year 1000 that Padua registered an important growth in wealth and power, and new imposing Old map of Padua religious and civil buildings, such as the Cathedral, the Commune Palaces, towers and defensive walls were built. The 13th and the 14th century marked a period of extraordinary The province of Padua has a vast cultural and artistic economic and cultural liveliness and ardour, which left great heritage and great natural assets. One has only to think evidences in town: the medioaeval walls, the foundation of the of the Euganean Hills’ rich flora and history, of the countless University, the Ragione Palace, the Basilica of st. Anthony and villas and castles scattered all over the area, of the medieval many others. The Trecento, historically characterized by the walled towns, of the world famous Euganean spas, of the ruling of the Seigneury of the Da Carrara family, is considered medieval monasteries and abbeys, of the old farm houses Padua Golden Age: the art panorama was dominated by Giotto surrounded by wide expanses of fields, of the network of and his followers and the city was the most important centre rivers, streams and canals leading to the Venetian lagoon, of artistic production in medieval Europe. In 1405 the a portion of which belongs to the province of Padua. Da Carrara Seigneury terminated and Padua passed under Palazzo Bo, Old Courtyard Piazza delle Erbe Below, Prato della Valle and Basilica of St. Giustina 2647_05_C415_PADOVA_GB 17-05-2006 10:37 Pagina 4 The classic itinerary. The medieval heart. Basilica of St. Anthony and Prato della Valle. Over three thousand years of history have left a wealth of The historic centre of Padua is dominated by the imposing The third great monumental area develops around St. historical buildings and places. Combining the old and the Palazzo della Ragione, which was built in the year 1218 Anthony’s Basilica, locally simply called Il Santo, which holds modern, great art and beautiful artifacts, the city centre is to host the court of justice on the upper floor, and various the mortal remains of Saint Anthony. The great sanctuary, a full of surprises. shops on the ground floor. The vast hall, called il Salone real shrine of art and devotion, is surrounded by an impressive The classic itinerary touches three areas, which enclose the (the great Hall), is one of the largest medieval hanging halls number of monuments: the equestrian statue of Gattamelata symbols of Padua history. of the world and its walls are covered by 15th c. paintings by Donatello, St. George’s Oratory, the Scuola del Santo with depicting the zodiac and the astrological theories of Pietro Titian frescoes, the Antonian Museum and the Renaissance d’Abano, one of the greatest medieval scientists. The three complex of Loggia and Odeo Cornaro. A short distance away squares surrounding the palace - Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza you can visit the University Botanical Garden, one of oldest della Frutta and Piazza dei Signori - are the site of Padua’s in the world. A little to the south sprawls the Prato della Valle, daily market, which has been taking place here for more one of the largest town squares in Europe, surrounded by the than 800 years. The squares are lined by bars, restaurants, waters of the Alicorno canal and decorated by a double order shops and historical buildings. 4 Piazza dei Signori is a gentle Renaissance square closed westwards by the white façade of the Capitanio Palace of statues. The square is lined by ancient palaces and churches. and the beautiful Clock Tower. Closeby is Padua’s Cathedral, On the northern side is Palazzo Angeli which hosts a 16th century building which keeps one of the delights the delightful Museum of the Magic Lantern and Pre Cinema. of the town: a Romanesque baptistery with 14th century On the opposite side is the 16th century Basilica di Santa frescoes by Giusto de Menabuoi. Giustina, which keeps the mortal remains of saints and martyrs The adjacent Bishop Palace Museum displays precious works of Christianity: St. Giustina, one of the first Christian martyrs, of art, including paintings, manuscripts, jewellery, sculptures, St. Luke the Evangelist, St. Mattia, and many others. and allows visitors to admire the magnificent Bishops Hall. From here, following the suggestive narrow streets of the old ghetto, the itinerary leads back to the area of the City Hall 4 Donatello’s monument to Gattamelata 7 Basilica of St. Anthony, 5 View of Padua, the domes Donatello’s altar th (16 c.). The palace faces Palazzo Bo, the historical seat of the Basilica of St. Anthony Below, view of Padua, of Padua University, and is closed northwards by the Caffè 6 Prato della Valle, antiques market Palazzo della Ragione Pedrocchi (1831), one of the most famous historical cafès in Italy and prestigious venue for cultural events. 5 1 7 The Museum Complex 2 6 around the Roman Arena.