This quaint chapel is one of the most important historic sites in the city, and is home to what is considered one of the masterpieces of Giotto- a complex series of frescoes which are a marvel to behold. The frescoes were completed in 1305. The name of the chapel is the surname of the man who commissioned Giotto. The chapel is equipped with modern instruments that make for interactive tours. Reservations in order to visit the chapel are recommended.
This basilica, the most important of the city, has been dedicated to main saint of Padua, San Antonio. It was built 8 centuries ago and from then on, it became one of the most important spiritual places of the Christian world. Antonio chose Padua as his permanent home in the period in which he was travelling all over Italy. The church is owned by the Vatican and it houses the tongue of the saint, an important holy relic.
Together, with the Basilica di Sant'Antonio, Palazzo della Ragione is a symbol of the city. Built in 1288, it is called the Salone, or lounge, because of its large room with its wooden vaulted ceiling (destroyed and rebuilt many times over the centuries), making it the largest undivided hall in the world. The piazza and the bustling daily market are dominated by its loggia. It was a real layman's center in the city. Justice was carried out in the upper rooms, adorned with frescoes of astrological depictions (perhaps even by Giotto). If the sentence was serious, the accused would be taken to one of the local prisons. The building also houses a large wooden horse that Annibale Capodilista had made for a merry-go-round and then donated to the city. On the ground floor, traditional commercial activities took place, as they still do today.
Home to the university since the 16th Century, the building dates back to the same time, and was then renovated in the 20th Century. The best preserved area is the interior courtyard, with its porticoes decorated with coats of arms of the noble families, to which the students belonged. It housed the first anatomical theater in the world (1594) and the desk of Galileo Galilei, teacher of mathematics. Hours vary as per season.
The Botanical gardens of Padua as has been created in 1545, is at the present the most antique in his genre, as a botanical garden managed by a University. The primarily purpose at that age was to grow there herbs in order to help the students of medicine to recognize the correct ones and the amount of species was around 1800. Thanks to the commercial connection wordlwide of the Republic of Venezia this number grew more and more and today the differente plants have been divided into 5 different enviroments: mediterranean, alpine, fresh water, succulent plants and tropical greenhouse. Has been declared an UNESCO site.
One of the most prominent squares in Padua is Piazza dei Signori. Surrounded by medieval houses on all sides, this rectangular Piazza provides great insight into the Renaissance era architecture. However, the main attraction here is the clock tower, which can be called the crowning jewel of this famous square.
Home to the university since the 16th Century, the building dates back to the same time, and was then renovated in the 20th Century. The best preserved area is the interior courtyard, with its porticoes decorated with coats of arms of the noble families, to which the students belonged. It housed the first anatomical theater in the world (1594) and the desk of Galileo Galilei, teacher of mathematics. Hours vary as per season.
Together, with the Basilica di Sant'Antonio, Palazzo della Ragione is a symbol of the city. Built in 1288, it is called the Salone, or lounge, because of its large room with its wooden vaulted ceiling (destroyed and rebuilt many times over the centuries), making it the largest undivided hall in the world. The piazza and the bustling daily market are dominated by its loggia. It was a real layman's center in the city. Justice was carried out in the upper rooms, adorned with frescoes of astrological depictions (perhaps even by Giotto). If the sentence was serious, the accused would be taken to one of the local prisons. The building also houses a large wooden horse that Annibale Capodilista had made for a merry-go-round and then donated to the city. On the ground floor, traditional commercial activities took place, as they still do today.
Antenore, originally from Troya, following the legend, has been the founder of the city of Padua and is supposed that in this typical middle age tumb, are kepted his rests. The rest were discovered in 1274 and 1283 has been builded the monument to host them. In 1984 thanks to the scientific progress has been determined that the rest are probably the ones of an hungarian soldier dead during the invasions of the XI century, but the city is still loves it like the tumb of the ancestor.
One of the most prominent squares in Padua is Piazza dei Signori. Surrounded by medieval houses on all sides, this rectangular Piazza provides great insight into the Renaissance era architecture. However, the main attraction here is the clock tower, which can be called the crowning jewel of this famous square.
Minutes away from Venice by train is the city of Padua (Padova), which is home to the Basilica of St. Anthony, the Scrovegni (or Arena) Chapel and one of the most prestigious universities in Italy. Many tourists simply go straight on to Venice or just remain in the city for their stay and seldom venture into the surrounding towns and cities of the Veneto region. Padua is very quiet and small, and is architecturally a mélange of Medieval, Renaissance, and post-1945 buildings; however, large sections were destroyed during World War II. The one day of the year when Padua is bustling with pilgrims, tourists and the curious is June 13 - the Feast Day of St. Anthony, patron saint of lost articles, animals and the poor.