Padua is an ancient city of culture in the Veneto region. It is thought to have been founded approximately 3,000 years ago, and it quickly developed to become one of the most important cities in the region. However, there were also times of decline in Padua after, for example, devastating attacks by Hungarians in 899. The following many centuries saw both prosperity and setbacks in the city’s development. Italy’s second university was founded in Padua in 1222, but repeated battles with Venice and Verona resulted in defeat. The city became Venetian from 1405 to 1797 and then Austrian before Padua became part of Italy in 1866.

In Padua, there are many cozy streets with arcades and beautiful squares such as Piazza dei Signori, which for centuries was the city’s political center and where you can see Padua’s famous bell tower from the 15th century. Close by are the Piazza dei Frutti and Piazza delle Erbe market squares, which are located on either side of the Palazzo della Ragione market building, originally built 1179-1219. Here is the Great Hall, which is adorned by Nicolo Miretto and Stefano da Ferrara’s impressive frescoes from the first half of the 15th century.

You can also visit several churches in Padua. The city’s cathedral is in the heart of the old town. The first church was built here in 313, while the current cathedral dates from the 16th century. To the northeast is the Capella degli Scrovegni, a unique building with Giotto’s beautiful frescoes from the years 1303-1305. The frescoes were painted as a cycle around the life of the Virgin Mary. South-east of the center you can see the large Basilica di Sant’Antonio from the 13th century. The basilica contains Saint Anthony’s tomb and is visited today by many pilgrims from all over the country.

In the same area is the elegant 18th-century square Prato della Valle, which covers a considerable area with its approximately nine hectares. It is shaped like an ellipse with a central park surrounded by water and 78 statues of famous citizens. Close by, you can take a walk in the Orto Botanico, the world’s oldest botanical garden. It was established in 1545 as a herb garden, but the beautiful garden today contains much more, and it is now on UNESCO’s list of world cultural heritage.