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Parco della Musica (aka Parco d’Europa)
What to see in Padova
Palazzo Bo
The Palazzo del Bo, commonly known as "the Bo", is the historic seat of the…
Palazzo Bo
What to see in Padova
The Palazzo del Bo, commonly known as "the Bo", is the historic seat of the University of Padua. The palace, the oldest parts of which date back to the 13th century, was given in 1405 by Francesco da Carrara to a meat merchant, then passed to the use of the Ateneo, which became its definitive owner in 1539 This unusual name is due to the fact that the building was built incorporating an old hotel, the Hospitium Bovis, which displayed an ox skull as a sign.
The University of Padua
It is impossible not to devote a few lines to the importance of the University of Padua. It is one of the most prestigious in Europe and the second founded in Italy, after Bologna. And it is precisely to the University of Bologna that it has been linked since its origins: the University of Padua was founded in 1222 thanks to the spontaneous transfer to the city of a group of students and professors of law from from Bologna.
From its foundation, the University of Padua has professed the ideal of Freedom as the cardinal principle of its raison d'être: it welcomes many foreign students, offers them decent accommodation and grants them loans at low interest rates. , and adopted Latin as the vehicular language so that the courses could be followed by everyone. Note that it was the first university in Europe to accept students of Jewish religion; in fact, it was the only university where professing the Catholic religion was not an entry criterion.
Visit the Bo Palace
For its historical and architectural value, Palazzo Bo deserves a visit during a stay in Padua. This is a guided tour that includes the Cortile Antico, the Aula Magna, Galileo Galilei's chair in the Sala dei Quaranta, the "anatomical kitchen" and the Teatro Anatomico (the oldest permanent anatomical theater in the world) , the Medicine and Law rooms, and the statue of Elena Cornaro, the first woman to graduate in the world.
La Specola
La Specola Tower is one of the best-known symbols of Padua, but also a very…
La Specola
La Specola Tower is one of the best-known symbols of Padua, but also a very representative monument to the history of the city. A clue is given to us at the entrance, where verses from Abbot Toaldo testify to the radical change in function that the tower has undergone over the centuries:
“This tower, which once led to the infernal shadows, today opens, under the auspices of the Venetians, the way to the stars. »
The story
In medieval times, the Specola Tower was the highest point of the castle built by Ezzelino III da Romano, tyrant of the city from 1237 to 1256, to be the nerve center of the defensive walls of the 13th century city. It is said that inside the Torlonga, the original name of the tower, the worst tortures were inflicted on the sovereign's prisoners.
The advent of the Carraresi brought many changes to the city, notably in 1374, with the reconstruction of the castle and its interior and exterior decoration. The tower then assumed a purely military function and it would take a few centuries for it to be definitively transformed. In 1761, the Venetian Senate decreed the creation of an astronomical observatory for the University of Padua, and thus began studies to decide the most appropriate type of structure to house.
The existing keep of the ancient Carrarese castle was perfect: located in the center of the city and facing south, that is to say towards the celestial meridian. Father Giuseppe Toaldo followed the project with the architect Domenico Cerato, adding, at the top of the tower, the access room to the observation turrets. The work lasted a good ten years and in 1777, the University inaugurated the new observatory, specula astronomica according to the Latin formulation.
The Astronomical Observatory Museum
For more than two centuries, the Observatory has carried out studies at an international level and, since 1994, has opened its oldest core, the Specola, to visitors, transforming it into an astronomical museum. The museum route, which includes a guided tour, develops through the rooms used over the centuries by Padua's most famous astronomers. You will have the opportunity to admire ancient instruments up close and discover the history of this fascinating place.
What to see in Padova
Le piazze
Padua, particularly its historic center, is a city teeming with squares, squares and courtyards. Just…
Le piazze
What to see in Padova
Padua, particularly its historic center, is a city teeming with squares, squares and courtyards. Just think of the marvelous setting of Prato della Valle, one of the largest squares in Europe. However, don't be caught off guard: when someone arranges to meet you "in piazza", know that it is a very specific area, namely that located around the Palazzo della Ragione. Here we find what was for centuries the vital center of the city of Padua, between Piazza della Frutta, Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori.
Piazza della Frutta
The Piazza della Frutta, or Fruit Square, is located north of the Palazzo della Ragione. It is a historic place of trade and commerce, according to some since the imperial era, although its current conformation dates back to the 10th and 11th centuries. Eggs, poultry, fish and roast meats were sold there, as well as vegetables and birds. Since the end of the 12th century, the daily fruit and vegetable market (but not only that) has still been held there, with wooden stalls.
Piazza delle Erbe
Piazza delle Erbe was called “Della Biada” and later “Del Vino” because of the markets held there. Worked iron, vegetables, wheat, legumes and wheat were also traded there. The square was considered a place of exchange for low-value goods and often used for demonstrations and popular festivals. It was, for example, the finishing point of the city's Palio race. The fruit and vegetable market is always held there from Monday to Saturday.
Piazza dei Signori
While the Piazza delle Erbe was the scene of popular festivals, the noble Piazza dei Signori was the setting for civic celebrations. It owes its name to the Palazzo della Signoria, the palace of the Carraresi, lords of Padua from 1318 to 1405. The square is dominated by the Clock Tower, which dates back to the 16th century, embellished by the famous astronomical clock, one firsts made in Italy.
Scrovegni Chapel
An absolute masterpiece of 14th century Italian and European painting, the Scrovegni Chapel is considered…
Scrovegni Chapel
An absolute masterpiece of 14th century Italian and European painting, the Scrovegni Chapel is considered the most complete cycle of frescoes created by the great Tuscan painter Giotto. The artist skilfully blended color and light, narrating the life of the Madonna and Christ as never before. The result was his greatest testimony and masterpiece, becoming a real model for future generations of artists.
Prato della Valle
One of the largest squares in Europe, as well as the most famous in Padua,…
Prato della Valle
One of the largest squares in Europe, as well as the most famous in Padua, Prato della Valle with its striking statues and green grass, is the symbol of our city and a meeting place for all Paduans.
From the shape inspired by the patrician garden so dear to Veneto tradition, this square is adorned with 78 statues depicting famous people of the past: they are the most illustrious citizens of the city, Paduan by birth or adoption. Have fun discovering them all!
The square has always held economic and recreational functions that continue to this day: the large city market, as well as numerous events, take place here throughout the year.
Palazzo della Ragione
Dating back to 1218, Palazzo della Ragione, which was once the courthouse, is one of…
Palazzo della Ragione
Dating back to 1218, Palazzo della Ragione, which was once the courthouse, is one of the most famous monuments of Padua.
The enormous architectural value that the building already had was enhanced by cycle of frescoes attributed to Giotto in the fourteenth century, which were partially destroyed due to a fire and fortunately later restored.
Over the centuries, Palazzo della Ragione has maintained its central role in the public life of the city of Padua: today the great hall of the building hosts exhibitions and cultural events.
What to see in Padova
Botanical Garden
On June 29, 1545, the construction of what would become the oldest university botanical garden…
Botanical Garden
What to see in Padova
On June 29, 1545, the construction of what would become the oldest university botanical garden in the world was approved by the Consiglio dei Pregadi of the Serenissima. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, the Botanical Garden of Padua is a true masterpiece, both architecturally and scientifically.
The birth of the Botanical Garden
At the time of its creation, the study of medicinal plants was already widespread at the University of Padua, but was limited to the consultation of books and ancient texts. This is why its application often proved ineffective, or even harmful to public health. It was then that Francesco Bonafede requested the creation of a “Horto medicinale”, so that students could more easily recognize the species, already numbering 1,800 at the inauguration of the garden. The commercial exchanges of the Venetian Republic with different countries made it possible to continually enrich the garden with exotic plants and non-native species.
The Botanical Garden today
After more than 450 years of existence, the Botanical Garden had to be extensively renovated in 2014 in order to combine tradition and innovation. The Biodiversity Garden was therefore built in an adjacent space. In addition to the visit to the Antique Garden, there is a real discovery tour of the flora of the five continents. There are no fewer than 1,000 species of plants spread across five biomes, depending on their temperature and humidity requirements.
Today, the Padua Botanical Garden is home to 3,500 different species, with the aim of representing, albeit in a reduced format, a significant part of the entire plant kingdom. An essential stopover that should not be missing from your discovery itinerary of the city of Padua.
Museum of Astronomical Observatory of Padua
