What is worth seeing in Padua? Where to walk and what to see. Eremitani City Museum and Eremitani Church

Padua, Italy - detailed information about the city. Padua travel guide: popular attractions with photos and descriptions.

City of Padua

Padua is a city in the Italian province of Veneto, located in the Po Valley, 20 km from the Venetian Lagoon. It is a beautiful old City, where you will find many attractions, original and interesting places and delicious cuisine. It is very convenient to stay here when traveling in northeastern Italy, since Padua is favorably located near the tourist mecca - Venice and Verona, and the prices for hotels and food are much lower here.

History of Padua

The founding of Padua dates back to between the thirteenth and eleventh centuries BC and is associated with the civilization of the ancient Greeks.

There is a legend that after the mythical Trojan War, one of the leaders of Troy, Antenor, fleeing from the Greeks, sailed down the Po and founded the village of Padus (from Greek - swamp) on a swampy area.

During the Roman Empire, Padus, later called Patavium, became an ally of the Romans and became rich due to its favorable location at the crossroads of trade routes. Padua has become one of the largest cities Empire.

In 601, Padua was razed to the ground by King Agilulf, and then again in 800 by the Huns. After that, the city was almost abandoned - the inhabitants scattered around the neighborhood, many went to Venice.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the territory fell under the rule of the Lombards. They completely changed the social structure and introduced feudalism.

At the same time, Catholicism began to gain strength. Temples began to be built in the city, Padua began to revive and grow rich. At the beginning of the 11th century, defensive structures were erected in the city, public and religious buildings were built.

At the beginning of the 13th century, a university was founded in Padua. In the 14th century, Padua became one of the cultural capitals throughout Europe - Giotto worked here, Averroes and Avicenna taught.

At the beginning of the 15th century, Padua came under the rule of the Venetian Republic. For almost two centuries, the city has become one of the cultural centers of the entire region.

After the Napoleonic Wars, the city and the region fell under the influence of the Habsburgs and remained under it until the unification of Italy.

How to get to Padua

Padua is located almost in the center of the Veneto region between the cities of Treviso and Venice. If you get to Padua by plane, then there are three options - airports in Venice, Rimini and Milan. The closest is Marco Polo Airport in Venice.

If you go by car, then from the side of Milan and Venice - this is the A4 highway, from the south of Italy - A13 (Bologna).

tourist tax

As in many cities in Padua, there is a tourist tax, which may or may not be included in the price of accommodation (need to be specified when booking). In 2016, the following tourist tax is established:

• four stars and above € 2.85
• three stars € 1.90
• two stars € 1.40
• one star € 0.95

Urban transport

Public transport in Padua is represented by buses, trams and taxis. Tickets can be bought at numerous kiosks.

Accommodation in Padua

In Padua you can find hotels, inns and guest houses for every taste and budget. In the city and its environs a large number of colorful hotels. We recommend booking accommodation in the historic center or in the surrounding villages of Padua.

Kitchen

The cuisine of Padua is represented by ancient culinary traditions. In addition to pizza, which is traditionally associated with Italy and is found everywhere, we recommend trying horse meat dishes, cheeses, bigoli, Padua chicken, focaccia, false parsuto, pazientini and zaleti sweets. From alcohol - local wines.

Sights of Padua

As in most ancient cities, the main attractions of Padua are located in the historic center. This is especially true for most Italian cities because they often developed around ancient Roman or medieval defensive walls.

Despite the rather decent size, all the main attractions of Padua are located within walking distance. Although, if necessary, you can use buses that will take you to all the sights. But we recommend taking walks, as it is pleasant to walk around the city. There is no abundance of tourists here as in Rome, Venice, Verona, Milan, you can safely enjoy the city and its interesting places. There are also a lot of pedestrian areas.

Eremitani Square in Padua

Eremitani Square is an old square in Padua. Here is a large regional museum, which contains interesting collections of the Roman, pre-Roman, Etruscan and early Christian periods. Valuable works of art are also exhibited here. Among them stands out Giotto's masterpiece - the Crucifixion.

Another attraction of the square is the Scrovegni Chapel, built at the beginning of the 14th century and painted by the brilliant Giotto. Many of the original frescoes are well preserved.

Also on the square is an old church of the 14th century, the Zuckermann Palace and the Museum of Applied Arts.

Address: Piazza Eremitani, 35121 Padova PD

Piazza San Antonio and Basilica of St. Anthony

Square in the historic center of Padua, adjacent to the main cathedral of the city - the Basilica of St. Anthony. The basilica is the main architectural dominant of the historical center and the largest cathedral of Padua, the main center of veneration of St. Anthony of Padua. The basilica was built in the 13th century in the Baroque style. Altichiero da Zevio, Jacopo d'Avanzo, Stefano da Ferrara, Girolamo Tessari took part in its painting.

To the left of the basilica is Donatello's masterpiece - bronze equestrian monument,dedicated to the Venetian commander.

Address: Piazza del Santo, 35123 Padova PD

Prato della Valle

Prato della Valle is the most big square Italy and one of the largest in Europe, almost 90,000 sq. meters. This main square Padua, located in the southern part of the historic center.

The square got its unique shape at the end of the 18th century thanks to the Venetian governor Memmo. This is a huge green island, surrounded by a canal that crosses 4 bridges, and in the center there is a fountain. Along the canal there are sculptures of famous people - scientists, artists, doctors, politicians who lived, worked and worked in Padua.

At the very edge of the square rises the Abbey of Santa Giustina - a magnificent example of the Renaissance, built at the beginning of the 16th century. impressive architectural structure with a 82 meter bell tower with foundations from the 12th century dominates the architecture of the square. However, it looks just as impressive on the inside!

Not far from the square is an old botanical garden, which contains more than 6,000 plants. On the southeast side of the square is an old 16th century basilica.

Address: Piazza Prato della Valle, 35121 Padova PD

Specola - an old astronomical observatory, one of the symbols of Padua. There is an astronomical museum here, and a wonderful view of the city opens from the top. Once upon a time, the great Galileo himself conducted research here.

Nearby is also the Oratorio di San Michele, closely associated with recent years the life of the famous Petrarch, as well as the 13th century castle of Carraresi.

From the specola it is easy to get to the city center, along the way looking at the church of San Tommaso, Piazza Duomo and the magnificent baptistery, painted with beautiful frescoes.

Heart of Padua - squares della Ragione, della Erbe and della Frutti

Square della Ragione is the second largest square in Padua. Here is the most beautiful Palazzo della Ragione or Salone (great hall), one of the symbols of the city.

On the southwest corner of the square there is a 15th century tower with an astronomical clock.

squares della Ragione, della Erbe and della Frutti are the heart of the medieval city and also the site of the daily market.

University of Padua

The University of Padua is one of the oldest universities in Europe, founded in the first half of the 13th century. Galileo, Copernicus, Harvey and many others taught and researched here.

A few steps away is the historic Café Pedrocchi, which has been open since 1830.

What else to see in Padua

Bridge of St. Lorenzo - a stone bridge 53 meters long.

Obelisk of Antenor - the legendary founder of Padua.

historical gate- San Giovanni and Molino.

Church of San Nicolò is one of the most romantic places Padua. Church of the 16th century located on an old medieval square.

The first small settlements on the territory of modern Padua date back to the 11th-10th centuries. BC e. According to Virgil's "Aeneid", the city owes its appearance to Antenor - in fact, as well as the name "Padus". So, the prince miraculously escaped after the siege of Troy and was forced to seek his fortune in a foreign land. This version of the founding of Padua has taken root so well that the skeleton of a man in armor found in the 13th century was mistaken for the remains of the legendary Trojan prince and buried in an aedicule erected for this purpose.

During the era of the Roman Empire, the city flourished due to its favorable location at the crossroads of important trade routes. Then he got a new name - Patavius. The city was inhabited by the Venets, a friendly tribe, which, thanks to military merit, was awarded the title of honorary citizens of the empire. The union of the Veneti and the Romans was born in 223 BC. e., when the peoples united in the struggle against Gaul. By the 2nd century BC. e. Patavius ​​became a Roman municipality, and then one of the most influential cities. His wealth grew due to the successful production and sale of wool products.

The collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476 led to the fall of Patavia into the hands of the Goths, led by King Totila. They destroyed the city almost to the ground, but thanks to the efforts of the Roman commander Narses, Patavia was restored to its former glory. In this form, the city existed for a little over a century: in 610, it was burned by the army of the Lombard king Agilulf. The locals went home; many settled permanently in Venice.

During the reign of the German Franks, Patavia was rebuilt, and soon made it the main city of the county. At the beginning of the 11th century, he received a privilege from the German ruler Henry IV, and in the 12th century - municipal self-government. The Roman name was gradually forgotten, giving way to the modern version - "Padua".

Throughout its existence, the city has known the tyranny of the heads of the podestat, the rebellious spirit of the Guelphs and the dictatorship of the ruling dynasties of Italy. In the 15th century, Padua joined the Venetian Republic, becoming its main educational center - largely thanks to one of the oldest universities in Europe. In 1508-1516. the city was under a long siege, but survived. In order to increase their chances in the future, the government of Padua decided to strengthen the city walls. In this form, they still exist today.

In 1797, Padua was transferred to the Habsburg dynasty under the terms of the Treaty of Campo Formia. In the first half of the 19th century, the city passed either to the Kingdom of Italy or to Austria. This led to an uprising in 1848 during which the University of Padua was closed for two years. Peace of Vienna (1866) returned Padua to the Kingdom of Italy.

Since 1914, the country's military garrisons were located in the city. Padua "distinguished itself" in 1939-1945: a partisan movement unfolded here. The teaching staff and students of the university actively fought against fascism, which earned them a medal for valor for their alma mater.

Unfortunately, Padua is often seen as a starting point for travel to Venice, Verona and even Milan, but the city is attractive regardless. It is compact, but at the same time impresses tourists with the atmosphere of a typical Italian city with colorful sights, old streets, charming canals and cozy cafes.

Weather and climate

The continental climate of Padua gives the inhabitants and visitors of the city rather sharp temperature changes. High humidity is observed in the province - the main cause of frequent fogs in the morning and evening.

Winter in Padua

The noticeably cool winters are not the best time to visit the city. Although the mercury column rarely drops below zero, the temperature is not comfortable to enjoy. exciting excursions. During the day, its indicators rise to an average of +7 ° C, by night they drop to +3 ° C. Rainfall is negligible, but it is still worth putting an umbrella in your suitcase.

Spring in Padua

It's hard to think of a better time to visit Padua than spring! Although the weather is very capricious, it will not spoil the walks around the city. At the beginning of the pore, the air temperature during the day rises to +15 °C, by the end of spring - up to +25 °C. The thermometer readings at night do not exceed +8 °C and +15 °C, respectively. In general, there are about 13 rainy days in spring.

Summer in Padua

If you're looking for the ultimate experience, head to Padua in the summer. Sightseeing is easy to combine with beach holiday- The weather is perfect for this. During the day, the air temperature rises to +30 °C, at night it drops to +20 °C, so warm pajamas are not needed. Summer rains are not uncommon, but they are short-lived.

Autumn in Padua

The first half of autumn in Padua can be considered velvet season. It is quite warm during the day (+22 °C), but at night you will have to stock up on clothes with sleeves: the temperature will drop to +15 °C. November is the coldest and rainiest month of autumn. The air temperature during the day reaches +13 °C, at night it drops to +9 °C.

Sights of Padua

For centuries, the appearance of the Italian city was created by exceptional masters: Mantegna, Donatello, Altichiero, Giotto and others. Despite the proximity of an impressive "competitor" - Venice, - Padua is worthy of at least a two-day visit. In terms of attractions, this city is a cornucopia. Squares and parks, museums and palaces, cathedrals and churches - choose for every taste!

Museums

Indirectly, Padua retained the title of one of the main educational centers of the country. Evidence of this is the museums, where expositions for real scholars are presented.

The list should start with MUSME - Museum of the History of Medicine, located in the building of a former hospital of the XV century. It is dedicated to the development of medical science. In addition to tools and books, the exhibition includes interactive games and models that will help you learn more about the structure of the human body. MUSME is located at Via San Francesco, 94. Its doors are open from Tuesday to Friday from 14:30 to 19:00; on Saturday, Sunday and holidays - from 9:30 to 19:00. Monday is a day off. A ticket to the fascinating world of medicine will cost 10 EUR, a guided tour of 1 and 2 hours - 60 EUR and 90 EUR, respectively. The latter needs advance booking. You can get to MUSME by buses U08, U22, U88, getting off at the Ponti Romani – San Francesco stop and walking about 200 m along Via San Francesco.

A visit to the Padua Planetarium will delight all lovers of planets and stars, regardless of age. The “Space Museum” is unique in that here you can not only see the stars with the help of powerful modern equipment, but also participate in thematic events and visit the cinema. The planetarium is the perfect place for family entertainment thanks to excursion programs for children. If you want to touch the mysteries of space, go to the following address: Via Alvise Cornaro, 1. The planetarium is open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 16:30 to 19:30. The visit will cost 8 EUR. You can get to the Padua Planetarium by bus lines No. 13 (Planetario stop), No. 9 and 15 (Portello stop). If you want to walk around the city a bit, you can take the U13 bus, getting off at the Scardeone stop and walking for about 120m in the direction of Via Gattamelata.

The Museum of the Padua Astronomical Observatory is not as interesting as its "predecessor", but still quite interesting. It is located in the tower of La Specola, which was formerly used as a prison. The tour route passes through the halls of the observatory, where you can get acquainted with astronomical instruments and portraits of famous astronomers. Tourists go up the stairs observation platform- a balcony along which they bypass the tower. If you want to see Padua from a bird's eye view, head to La Specola in the morning. The museum can be found at: Vicolo dell "Osservatorio, 5. It is open on weekends and holidays. The tour is held once: at 16:00 (from October to April) and at 18:00 (from May to September). A visit to the museum will cost 7 EUR The way to the La Specola tower is quite long, first you need to get to the Paoli 14 stop by bus M, T, TL, U05 or U12, then walk along Via Sant'Alberto Magno to its intersection with Ponte Paleocapa ; after - turn right and, having reached Piazza Accademia Delia, go straight along it to the Padua Observatory.

The Civic Museum "hidden" in the building of an ancient monastery and now unites several museums: modern and applied art, medieval and archaeological. Of particular interest is a room for storing samples of painting - the Pinakothek. Here are works of art dating from the 13th-19th centuries. Among them are the works of Tintoretto, Giorgione, Giotto, Titian. The Civic Museum of Padua is located at Piazza Eremitani, 8. It is open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 19:00, on Saturday it closes an hour earlier. Ticket price - 13 EUR (full tour) and 10 EUR (short tour). Get to civil museum you can take bus U16. Get off at the Ponti Romani-Garibaldi stop and then walk about 100m towards the chapel.

The Esapolis Museum of Living Insects is a great place for those who want to tickle their nerves. This is the first largest insectarium in Italy. The pride of the museum is living "exhibits": insects, arthropods and other small creatures that form the most numerous layer of fauna. A separate niche is occupied by sculptural and photographic exhibitions. Tourists get a chance to try out the role of not only an observer, but also a participant in interactive events. The Esapolis building is located at: Via de Colli, 28. It is very difficult to get here: the museum is open only on weekends and public holidays from 10:00 to 18:00. Acquaintance with insects will cost tourists 9 EUR. You can get to the museum by bus: U06 (stop Ciamician ang. via Lister); M, T, TL, U06 (stop Colli 21). In both cases, you will have to walk a little.

The Museum of the Risorgimento and Modernity is housed in a building no less than famous building- cafe "Pedrocchi" (to be more precise, on the ground floor). The exhibits tell about the fall of the Venetian Republic and the adoption of the Italian constitution. The museum displays weapons, medals, flags, diaries, newspapers and documents. No less valuable are excerpts from the chronicles of the 20th century: they can be seen in the hall where the video library is located. You can get acquainted with one of the important historical periods of Padua at Via VIII Febbraio, 15. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 to 12:30 and from 15:30 to 18:00. The cost of tickets is very democratic - 4 EUR. You can get to the Risorgimento by buses A, AT, ATL, DP, M, T, TL, U03, U05, U08, U11-U14, U16, U22 and U88. Get off at the Ponti Romari 9 stop, go down to the crossroads and continue along Via Cesare Battisti until you see the building of the Café Pedrocchi.

Churches, cathedrals and basilicas

The parade of religious buildings of Padua is opened by the oldest shrine of the city - the Church of the Hermits. It was erected in 1276, wishing thereby to honor Saints James and Philip. The main treasure of the church is the restored frescoes by Andrea Mantegna. The interior is also decorated with works by Ansuino da Forlì and Guariento. The museum is located on the first floor of the building. Outside, you can see two tombs where the nobles of Padua are buried. One of them is “decorated” with an epitaph by Francesco Petrarca. The Church of the Hermits is located at Piazza Eremitani, 9. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 19:00. Entrance to the territory of the church is paid: 10 EUR per person. The right to free admission is provided by a ticket to the Scrovegni Chapel or PadovaCard. You can get to the church by bus U08, U15 or U88, getting off at the Garibaldi – Europa stop, going down Riviera del Ponti Romani and turning onto Via Andrea Mantegna.

The Cathedral, despite its modest size compared to the Basilica of St. Anthony, is considered the main religious building of Padua. Modern look- the result of the third construction in a row: nothing remains of the two previous cathedrals. The austere façade hides a delightful interior. In the Chapel of the Holy Sacraments there are magnificent altars and paintings of religious themes, in the Chapel of the Madonna of Miracles there is an altar built in the best traditions of the Baroque. The main attractions of the cathedral are the relics of St. Gregorio Barbarigo and a copy of the Byzantine icon of the Virgin and Child. Padua Cathedral towering over Piazza Duomo. Its doors are open from 7:30 to 12:00 and from 15:30 to 19:30. On weekends and holidays, the cathedral receives visitors from 8:00 to 13:00 and from 15:30 to 20:45. Tourists can enter the shrine of Padua for free, but you will have to pay 3 EUR to enter the baptistery. You can take the DP bus to the square, getting off at the Arco Vallaresso (Piazza Duomo) stop.

The Basilica of Santa Giustina is revered not only in Padua, but throughout the country. Under its vaults, the relics of Prosdocius, the Evangelist Luke and, of course, Justina are kept, on whose grave the first building was erected in the 16th century. The famous artist Paolo Veronese worked on its interior decoration. The bell tower of the basilica houses seven rare bells, the last of which was cast in the second half of the 20th century. In 1939-1945. The building houses the city library. The Basilica of Santa Giustina is located at Via Giuseppe Ferrari, 2A. It can be visited in summer (from 7:30 to 12:00 and from 15:00 to 20:00 on weekdays, from 6:30 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 20:00 on holidays) or in winter (from 8 :00 to 12:00 and from 15:00 to 20:00 on working days, from 8:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 20:00 on holidays). Free admission. Finding the basilica is not difficult: it rises in the southeast of Prato della Valle. You can get to this place by buses U03, U11, U13, U14, U16, U24, U43 or U88. Stop - Cavazzana (Santa Giustina).

The Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, somewhat reminiscent of a gingerbread house, is dedicated to the patron saint of Padua. It was erected in the XIII-XIV centuries. on the site of the monastery, where pilgrims used to gather in order to hear the sermon of the main holy city. His relics are still kept in the chapel of the basilica. The latter became the tomb for another famous citizen - Erasmo da Narni, a mercenary commander. The frescoes in the chapel of St. James, works by Titian and sculptures by Donatello are of artistic value. The Basilica is located at: Piazza del Santo, 11. Its doors are open daily from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00. Entrance to the basilica is free subject to the dress code: open clothing is not allowed for both men and women. Unfortunately, there are no direct buses: you will have to get to the Businello 4 (Santo) stop by buses A, AT, ATL, M, T, TL, U03, U05, U11-U14, U16, U22 or U88. After that, you need to walk to Via Beato Luca Belludi, and already along it - to the basilica. If you use the SIR1 tram, the journey to the shrine will be longer.

The Scrovegni Chapel is a unique masterpiece of Padua, famous for its frescoes by Giotto. The religious building was erected by order of the Italian merchant Enrico Scrovegni. The reason was quite unusual: with this chapel, the merchant wanted to atone for the sins of his father, from whom Dante Alighieri wrote off the image of a usurer who was placed in hell for greed. Perhaps this also explains such detailed images of benefactors and mortal sins on the walls of the building. Now the Scrovegni Chapel serves not only as a religious building, but also as a venue for the Giotto under Stars program (from March 25 to November 4 and from December 27 to January 6, time - 19:00-22:00). It includes a demo starry sky and a theatrical performance that tells about the history of the chapel. You can see the real miracle of Padua at: Piazza Eremitani, 8. The chapel is open all year round from 9:00 to 19:00; no more than 20 people can be under its arches at the same time. Entrance to the brainchild of Scrovegni will cost 8 EUR. The same ticket is also valid for visiting the Civic Museum along with the Zuckermann Palace, which is very advantageous. You can get to the chapel by buses A, AT, ATL, DP, M, T, TL, U03, U05, U06, U09-U16, U22, U42, U88 (stop Garibaldi giardini); by tram SIR1 (stop Eremitani).

The Chapel of San Giorgio is amazing because in the 19th century it served as a temporary prison for the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Long before this event, the chapel was erected on the initiative of the Marquises of Lupi di Soragna, who planned to turn it into a family tomb. Only one grave has survived to this day, which is located near the eastern wall of the building. Since the chapel is dedicated to St. George, its walls are decorated with skillful images of scenes from the life of the great martyr. The fresco "The Crucifixion of Christ" stands out - a masterpiece example of the early Renaissance. The shrine of San Giorgio rises in Piazza del Santo. Its doors are open to summer time(April - September) from 9:00 to 12:30 and from 14:30 to 19:00, in winter (October - March) they close two hours earlier. A visit to the chapel will cost 2 EUR (you can also visit the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua with the same ticket). Since there are no stops nearby, you need to get to Businello 4 (buses A, AT, ATL, M, T, TL, U03, U05, U11-U16, U22 or U88) or Santo (tram SIR1). In both cases, you will have to walk a little to the San Giorgio Chapel.

palaces

Among the palaces of Padua, it is worth mentioning the Palazzo della Ragione (Palace of the Mind). The first "version" was erected in the XII-XIII centuries, and a century later it was provided with a roof in the form of an inverted ship. The reconstruction of the palazzo after the fire combined all the rooms into one spacious hall. The walls of the palace are decorated with copies of astrological frescoes by Giotto, the second tier is “entwined” with floral ornaments. Palazzo della Ragione is also notable for its hourglass and Foucault's pendulum (used to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth around its axis). The Palace of Reason separates two market squares - Piazza del Erbe and Piazza della Frutta. It is open to visitors from 9:00 to 19:00 (February 1 to October 31) or from 9:00 to 18:00 (November 1 to January 31). Ticket price - 6 EUR. You can get here with the DP bus, getting off at Piazza del Erbe fr. 24.

The Zuckermann Palace is not just a palazzo in the literal sense. Within its walls there is a museum of applied arts - one of the largest in Padua. The exposition unites more than 2 thousand exhibits. Among them are national costumes, jewelry, accessories, antique weapons, coins, inlaid furniture of the 18th century, ceramics, sculptures and paintings. Opposite the building, you can see a fragment of a stone wall: this is all that remains of the ancient theater. The Zuckermann Palace is located almost in the center of Padua at the address: Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi, 33. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00. A visit to the palace will cost a tourist 10 EUR. If you want to visit the palazzo and the museum located in it, you need to get to Garibaldi Eremitani by buses A, AT, ATL, DP, M, T, TL, U03, U05, U06, U08-U012, U14-U16, U22, U42 or U88. The Zuckermann Palace is located right next to the bus stop. You can take the SIR1 tram, get off at Eremitani and walk about 80 m to your destination.

Closes the top three famous Palazzo Padua Palace of Bo. "Bull" - this is how the name is translated, and the reason for this is the butcher shops, located near the building in ancient times, and the decoration in the form of a bull's head on the facade. In the XIV century. the palace served as the residence of the Carrara family, then as a hotel for foreigners and wealthy citizens. In the 16th century, the palazzo "sheltered" the University of Padua and continues to serve for the benefit of people's education to this day. The first anatomical theater in Europe is also located here. The Bo Palace can be found at: Via VIII Febbraio, 2. It is open to the public all week except Sunday: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 15:15 to 18:15; Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - from 9:15 to 12:15. Ticket price - 5 EUR. There are several ways to get to the palazzo: getting off at the Ponti Romani 9 stop (buses A, AT, ATL, DP, M, T, TL, U03, U05, U08, U11-U14, U16, U22, U88) or on Ponti Romani ( tram SIR1). In the second case, you need to walk from the stop to the palace along the Riviera del Ponti Romani.

Botanical Garden

Speaking of the parks of Padua (numerous, but still not so remarkable), one cannot fail to mention the botanical garden - one of the oldest in the world. According to UNESCO representatives, it was he who became the main example for the further creation of all botanical gardens. This "oasis" was established in the 16th century for the cultivation of medicinal plants - a "live" visual aid for students of the University of Padua. In 1939-1945. members of the partisan movement settled here, who held secret meetings in the garden. Now this place attracts tourists with an impressive collection - about 6 thousand plants, the oldest of which is the Goethe's Palm tree. The Botanical Garden of Padua is located at Via Orto Botanico, 15. From April to October, it is open from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00; from November to March - from 9:00 to 13:00. On Sunday the garden is closed to the public. Entrance to the territory is paid: 4 EUR. You can get to the pearl of the Padua flora by buses A, AT, ATL, M, T, TL, U03, U05, U08, U11-U14, U16, U22 or U88, getting off at the Prato Valle stop and turning onto Via Prato della Valle. If you wish, you should take the SIR1 tram to the Prato stop.

squares

Padua is known for its galaxy of famous squares. A striking example– Prato della Valle, the largest in the country and one of the most majestic in Europe. It is notable for the shape of an oval, surrounded by a canal with bridges thrown over it. The architectural complex of the square includes a central fountain and 78 monuments.

The past of Prato della Valle was very rich. In Roman times, the square played the role of a stalls, in the Middle Ages - a place for solemn parades and fairs, in the Renaissance - "arenas" for horse racing and exhibitions. Now it is one of the most visited places in Padua: it is impossible to imagine a sightseeing tour of the city without it. Interest is not only the square itself, but also nearby attractions. You can get to Prato della Valle by bus A, AT, ATL, M, T, TL, U03, U05, U08, U11-U14, U16, U22 and U88 (Prato Valle stop) or by SIR1 tram (Prato stop) .

Piazza delle Erbe (Grass Square) and Piazza della Frutta (Fruit Square) are famous for the fact that one of the largest markets in Italy continues to exist on their territory. In ancient times, horse races took place on the first one in honor of the Carrara family, which ruled the city. Public executions were also carried out here: two sculptures of the goddess of justice with scales and a sword in their hands have survived to this day. Piazza della Frutta is known only for the incident in 1984, when the secretary of the Communist Party was mortally wounded at this place. Tourists come here not only to get acquainted with the nearest sights, but also for the opportunity to buy anything on low prices. The squares are surrounded by restaurants and cafes, where you should try the local cuisine and feel like a real Italian. You can get to this place by bus DP, getting off at the stops Piazza delle Erbe 14 or Piazza delle Erbe fr. 24.

Piazza dei Signori has gained fame as one of the squares, the sight of which is breathtaking. It was considered the heart of the city: knightly tournaments, festivals and significant events were held here. The square was no less famous as the center of city power, as evidenced by the Loggia della Gran Guardia and the Palazzo del Capitano.

Crown architectural complex area count clock tower. Wanting to emphasize its beauty, the government of Padua decided to demolish the nearby quarter so that the building would not be lost against the backdrop of residential buildings. In addition, the square is decorated with a Marchani column with a stone lion on top and the ancient church of San Clemente. You can admire the grandeur of Piazza dei Signori by taking the DP bus to the Piazza delle Erbe fr stop. 24.

About living in areas of Padua

When looking for suitable housing in Padua, tourists rarely consider options located near train stations, fearing noise, and this is the main mistake. Local hotels have excellent sound insulation due to plastic windows and thickened walls. The only thing that can bother you is the busy streets during the daytime, but this disadvantage pales in comparison to the ability to take any bus or train to go on a tour of Padua or to nearby cities. It is worth noting that for nightlife you still have to go to other areas.

The historic center of Padua is not suitable for those who prefer to travel by car: most of the streets are pedestrian-only, and the closest parking lot to you can be two blocks or more from where you live. In addition, many hotels are located in old buildings that cannot be rebuilt, so you may encounter such an unpleasant surprise as the lack of an elevator or its tiny size.

The so-called Exhibition Center of Padua (Padova Fiere) is the ideal place to stay. Relative proximity to railway stations and more crowded entertainment make the area suitable for tourists who prefer to stay in modern hotels and not maneuver in crowds of immigrants and tourists.

Holiday prices

Holidays in Padua can not be called expensive. The cost of living in a hotel with a minimum list of services starts from 40 EUR per day. A room in a mid-range hotel will cost 100 EUR or more. If you are looking for a high-class vacation, get ready to pay from 170 EUR per day. For an inexpensive lunch for one person, you will have to pay about 15 EUR, for dinner for two - from 75 EUR. Travel to public transport will cost 1 EUR. A family ticket - two adults and two children - costs 2 EUR. You will have to pay about 3 EUR or 9 EUR for a travel card (for a day or a week, respectively). Calling a taxi costs about 6 EUR or more.

If you are planning an eventful tour of Padua, it is better to stop by buying a PadovaCard. She can count on free pass within 48 (16 EUR) and 72 (21 EUR) hours. At the same time, both an adult and a child under 12 years old can be “attached” to one card. It also includes discounts on visits to individual museums.

Cuisine of Padua

Italian national cuisine is multinational. Culinary traditions countries were formed under the influence of the peoples who lived here in different time. Thus, the national dishes of Padua are characterized by the use of ingredients that can be found literally in your own backyard. The meat "base" is a bird: goose, kaplan, duck and pheasant. Restaurants and cafes in the city serve special risotto with goose meat; it is also often used as an accompaniment to pasta and even pizza. Vegetable side dishes are no less appetizing, although they are quite familiar to European tourists.

In addition to the main dishes, Padua is famous for desserts - in particular, jam and marmalade. The latter is even dedicated to a separate holiday. Within its framework, they recreate a typical medieval village and delight tourists with numerous tents where you can try this delicacy. No less popular are pies with jam and fruit, as well as the original rice cake - figassa.

As for drinks, you can't overlook the traditional Italian wine. Its connoisseurs should visit the festival, during which they can taste the famous Isola del Gusto white wine produced in this region. Padua is also notable for its traditional drink, which is served only here - spritz (syringe, syringe). It includes carbonated water, Prosecco dry sparkling wine and Aperol romaperitif.

Transport

There are three main types of transport available in Padua: bus, tram and taxi.

Bus

The bus network covers most of the city, with the exception of the historic district, where traffic is prohibited. Ticket price may vary depending on the place of purchase. In special vending machines, tobacco shops or newsstands, you can pay about 1 EUR; in the cabin of the bus you will have to pay about 2.5 EUR for it. The ticket is valid for 75 minutes after it has been validated.

Tram

There is only one tram line in Padua, which runs single-rail trailers on rubber wheels - a very environmentally friendly and quiet mode of transport. Tourists love it not only for this, but also for the route: the tram passes the key attractions of Padua. The fare will cost 1 EUR (the ticket is also valid for 1 hour and 15 minutes), but you can save money and buy one ticket for 10 trips.

Taxi

It is easy to take a checkered car at a special parking lot, marked in orange and with a TAXI sign, or call from a mobile phone (049-086-693-45; 049-651-333 - radio taxi). The fare is 6 EUR. The fare for 1 km is quite cheap: only 2 EUR, but for an hour of waiting for a taxi driver you will have to pay about 36 EUR.

How to get there

Because Padua is small town, local airport does not accept passenger flights. The closest option is international Airport Venice named after Marco Polo, one of the largest in the country. The following airlines fly to Venice:

• Lufthansa - 210 EUR (economy) and 450 EUR (business);
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines– 250 EUR (economy) and 750 EUR (business);
• Air France - 260 EUR (economy) and 940 EUR (business).

If you wish, you can take advantage of the offer of the Ryanair discounter and buy a ticket much cheaper, but in this case you should not count on comfortable flight. Ryanair flights are served by Treviso and Bergamo airports.

From Venice to Padua, it is best to take a local train (ticket price - 4-10 EUR) or high-speed train Eurostar (2-20 EUR). You can also go to the city by bus: a ticket for a regular flight Venice - Padua will cost 3-8 EUR, and the trip will take about an hour.

Padua is a relatively small ancient city in the Veneto region. By our standards, the city is really not very big - its population is only about two hundred thousand inhabitants, but by the standards of Italy it can be called an average city.

So, let's see if it is worth going to Padua, if so, for what purposes, if not, then why. Also, I will try to give short review this city so that you can understand what to expect from it.

Padua is somewhat undeservedly pushed aside because most of tourists prefer to visit Rome, Milan, Venice, Verona and Pisa, because everyone knows these names and everyone knows what to expect from these cities and why you should go there - Venice is famous for its canals, Verona is a great city for a romantic getaway, where much reminiscent of the immortal work of Shakespeare, Pisa attracts tourists with its famous leaning tower. Padua is a city no less ancient and no less attractive in terms of history than all of the above places. It was founded in the Roman era, during the Middle Ages it was a thriving university city (the University of Padua was founded in 1222), so you can see monuments from different eras there.

So, the first reason to go to Padua is a huge number of historical sights(Slightly below I will conduct a brief review). In this regard, I would like to note that, of course, Padua is attractive ... read more

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30 minutes drive from beautiful Venice the beauty of Padua, less promoted by tour operators, is located. But in this city there are no less sights than the famous neighbor.

University of Padua

This is supreme educational institution the city, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe, is located at: Via 8 Febbraio, 2 - 35122 Padova. From here such brilliant scientists of the first magnitude as Copernicus, Galileo, the first printer Skorina and many other equally talented young people were issued. It was founded in 1222. To see the departments, laboratories and much more with your own eyes, you will have to pay an entrance ticket for an adult - 5 euros.

Prato della Valle

This largest area of ​​the country (8 square kilometers) is the pearl of the city, thanks to which the whole world knows about Padua. This square is so old that it still remembers the military parades and theatrical performances that were held here during the Great Roman Empire. The square received its second birth in 1775. The architect Dominico Cerato did a titanic work, as a result of which this island appeared, where the statues of the most famous people who ever lived in Padua. In addition, it works here on Saturdays food market. All significant city cultural events are invariably held on this square, which is a favorite vacation spot for local residents. This place is very beautiful and worth your visit.

Scrovegni Chapel

This chapel, which is the property of not only the city, but the whole of Italy, is located at: Padua, Giardini all "Arena, Piazza Eremitani, 8. It was built in 1305 with the money of the wealthy merchant Scrovegni. In itself, this religious building is no different from the rest of the buildings of that era.It gained its super popularity thanks to the great painter Giotto, who personally painted almost square kilometer walls, as well as the vaults of the chapel. The frescoes tell about the life of Christ. No less famous is the statue depicting the Virgin Mary with a child, sculptor Giovanni Pisano. To enjoy these 700-year-old frescoes, you will have to pay 12 euros - for an adult, for a teenager - 8 euros, and for a child - 1 euro. There are a lot of people who want to see this miracle, so the tour is short - only 15 minutes!

Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua

The address of this grandiose and majestic building: Padua, Piazza del Santo 11. Every year, the temple is visited by more than 4 million believers and just tourists who want to see and bow to the relic stored here - the thorns from the crown of thorns of Jesus. The church is named after one of the most revered saints in Italy. The beginning of the construction of the temple dates back to 1232, and only after 66 years was it finally completed. Church interior adorn the works of Titian. By the way, although the temple is located on the territory of the city, it belongs to the Vatican.

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Padua - beautiful city Italy, and there are a number of attractions worth seeing.

Basilica of Santa Giustina

The basilica of this great martyr can be found in the very center of the city. This is not only a famous landmark, but also an object of pilgrimage. This church was built where Justina (or Giustina) died in 304. In the basilica, this saint is depicted wearing a crown, with a palm branch (a symbol of the martyr's victory over death) and a sword that pierces her chest. By the way, Justina is also a symbol of Venice. The church is decorated with 9 domes with crosses and statues. The church has been restored many times, it was remodeled and reshaped, and what tourists can see today is the result of the last major construction in the 16th century. Inside the basilica are the relics of saints, luxurious unusual furniture, terracotta sculptures, paintings. The elegant facade of the church is in the Renaissance style with a clear influence of Byzantine architectural styles. It is impossible not to notice the most beautiful rose windows with geometric patterns, as well as two marble griffins. Incredible building!

Address: Via Giuseppe Ferrari, 2/A

Gate of Porta Altinate (Porta Altinate)

Gates and adjacent camps in ancient times served directly to protect the city from enemies. True, in the middle of the 13th century, the gates were nevertheless destroyed and rebuilt only a few decades later, and then they were repeatedly restored and completed. Now the gate, or rather, the remaining massive stone arch is just a reminder of those turbulent times. The gates are decorated with very beautiful stucco.

Address: Piazza Garibaldi

Admiralty and clock tower

During the Venetian rule, the Venetian ruler sat in this building. In the 16th century, the Admiralty and its clock tower from the 14th century were restored by a Veronese architect and his apprentices. That is, instead of lancet arch became a classic triumphal, the clock was changed, a couple of details were removed. An interesting detail, the new watch began to show not only the time, but even the day of the week, month, lunar phase and, most surprisingly, the current sign of the horoscope. In addition, instead of Arabic numerals, there were 24 Roman numerals on the dial. Absolutely amazing stuff! You can go to the courtyard of the Admiralty through the arch under the clock tower (and this arch was built relatively recently, in 1630, after the epidemic of the plague).

Address: Monte Di Pieta street

Piazza delle Erbe (Piazza dell "Erbe)

One of the most beautiful squares in Padua! In addition, here you can every day "run into" malls with fresh products, souvenirs and flowers at fairly low prices. As for sights, it should be noted that the square was "captured" by ancient buildings of various eras, such as Palazzo della Ragione and Comuna de Padova - luxurious Baroque buildings, decorated with statues of the ancient gods Jupiter, Venus and Apollo. Near the square you can find the Bibliotheca del Departmento, which was built as early as 1370, and an office in an old building, whose facade is decorated and painted by local art students. This is a great place for walking and shopping!

Palazzo della Ragione

This is a luxurious palace built at the beginning of the 13th century, which was previously used for meetings of the city court. In those days, the building was rather boring, until somewhere in the 15th century one of the monks undertook a major overhaul and reconstruction of the palace. The roof in the form of a ship's keel was covered with lead plates, and a myriad of frescoes (about 500) were painted inside the walls. Interestingly, the frescoes are connected together by the theme of the seasons. It's a pity that some of these marvelous works of Renaissance art were destroyed by a powerful fire several centuries ago, but even what remains is an incredible cultural and architectural heritage! At the moment, the Palazzo is considered one of the largest halls of the Middle Ages, and tourists never tire of admiring the Foucault pendulum suspended under the dome of the palace.

Address: Piazza dell'Erbe

Monument to Gattamelata

This monument is one of the best and most famous creations of the Italian Renaissance sculptor Donatello. The monument was erected here at the end of the 15th century. To whom is this courageous statue dedicated? Erasmo da Narni, nicknamed Gattamelata. He was famous throughout Italy as a condottiere, that is, the leader of mercenary military detachments. This Erasmo was born in a simple family of a baker, and went a long way "from rags to riches", and then became famous for having won many victories over the Venetian Republic. This is what deserved the honor of “being” opposite the Basilica of St. Anthony. By the way, at that time, the fashion for equestrian statues somehow subsided, and Donatello decided to resume it. And he did the right thing, because the monument on a no less beautiful pedestal turned out to be very, very beautiful!

Address: Piazza del Santo, 21

Tomb of Antenor (Tomba di Antenore)

According to legend, this Tomb contains the remains of the founder of Padua. It is not surprising that this burial is located in the very heart of the city. The legend says that a certain prince Antenor (surprisingly, the city was not named after him) escaped after the destruction of Troy, arrived here and founded the city. The ancient Roman poet Virgil even writes about him in his Aeneid. The legend was strongly entrenched in the minds of the inhabitants of Padua, when in the Middle Ages they found the remains of a man with a sword and gold coins in a lead coffin - so they took him for the national hero Antenor and, in fact, built an aedicule, that is, a tomb and there he was reburied with all honors. The stone monument is decorated with two quatrains in Latin, written by the poet Lovat, who “thinked up” this legend. Later, this monument was erected in different squares of the city, until it ended up where it stands today, and in the middle of the last century, Lovat's grave was also moved there. By the way, the legend turned out to be groundless when, at the end of the 20th century, the remains from the lead coffin were checked in the laboratory and found out that this was not a Trojan prince, but only a Hungarian warrior who died in the 9th century. But the faith of the inhabitants in the wonderful founding ruler is already difficult to break, and it’s more convenient that way.

Address: Via San Francesco, 15

Here it is, the mysterious Padua!

Padua is a fairly large Italian city, the administrative center of the province of Veneto. In terms of population, Padua is slightly inferior to its closest neighbor, Venice. From Padua to the city of canals is about half an hour's drive, and such a neighborhood has both negative and positive side. In terms of popularity, Padua is inferior to Venice, but on the other hand, the proximity to the famous tourist center plays into the hands of the townspeople.

The fact is that although the majority of tourists choose Venice, renting a hotel room in the city of gondola is very expensive. That is why foreigners, however, like the Italians themselves, prefer to stay in neighboring cities. And in Padua there are many hotels of the most different class, plus hundreds of architectural monuments and kilometers of streets literally breathing history.

And one more thing - in comparison with Ararat, as if frozen in its development, Padua looks quite modern, which creates a very favorable contrast.

Getting to Padua

SITA buses run regularly from Venice to Padua. The journey takes from 45 minutes to an hour, the ticket costs three and a half euros. The start of the routes is Piazzale Boschetti (half a kilometer from the railway station of Venice).

You can drive from Venice to Padua and railway(travel time 30-40 min., cost from 4 to 10 euros). Padua station is located five hundred meters north of Cappella degli Scrovegni, from where, in turn, the city center is about a kilometer away. You can walk or take the bus this way.

You can get from Padua to other Italian cities (Montegrotto Terme, Genoa), most conveniently by rail. There are two highways: in the north of the A4 (Turin - Milan - Venice - Trieste) and in the south of the A13, which takes you to Bologna. The ring road connects both routes.

The city center is surrounded by powerful fortress walls built in the 16th century. In some places, there are remains of towers and walls from an earlier time (13th century). In the inner perimeter are Fruit Square and Herb Square with markets located on them, which are definitely worth a visit. Between these two squares is the Palazzo della Ragione, the former seat of the city court. In the palace itself special attention deserves a large hall, the walls of which are painted with frescoes on astrological themes (15th century). Adjacent to the Palazzo della Ragione is the Palazzo del Municipio, a sixteenth-century palace significantly rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century.

Nearby is the cathedral, where you can admire the frescoes of the Italian artist Menabuoi (14th century, early Renaissance). It is very interesting to take a walk towards another square - Prato della Valle, which is surrounded by an oval canal along which statues of famous Padua are installed. There is also the Catholic Basilica of Santa Giustina.

On Piazza del Santo in front of the Church of St. Antonio of Padua, you can see one of the world's most famous masterpieces - the equestrian statue of Gattamelata (Venetian condottiere Erasmo da Narni) by the great Donatello (1453). Nearby - the chapel of San Giorgio and the oratorio Scuola del Santo with frescoes by Titian that have survived to this day.

Famous works of the great Italian painters Giotto and Titian can be admired in the chapels of Ovetari and Scrovegni and in the oratorio del Carmine.

Padua and Venice are only 37 kilometers apart. And believe me, it is worth spending at least one day to visit this amazing city with beautiful old squares and arched streets.

Padua Restaurants

Padua is a true paradise for those who love Italian cuisine and especially pizza. For example, in the rather economical Orsucci restaurant, this national dish is presented in at least ten versions. Along with pizza, visitors are offered fresh vegetable salads and fine Italian wine. Although the status of the restaurant is quite modest, the quality of food and service is beyond praise.

The Vecchio Falconiere restaurant will impress meat lovers as it is one of the most popular restaurants in the city. In the evenings, the restaurant is filled with a romantic atmosphere, and in the large and beautifully decorated hall Vecchio Falconiere it is very good to organize celebrations. The Enoteca dei Tadi restaurant is a great place to relax with the whole family and enjoy local cuisine.

Hotels in Padua

BEST WESTERN Hotel Admiral is one of the most popular hotels in the city. Residents are very impressed with luxuriously decorated comfortable rooms with satellite TV and Internet, bathrooms with toiletries, a hairdryer and bathrobes. The hotel has connecting rooms designed to accommodate a large family or company. In each room, at the request of residents, children's furniture can be installed. Active guests can rent bicycles. Those who like a more relaxing pastime can relax in the garden, visit the beauty salon, massage room or sauna.

The three-star Hotel Patavium is a very good option within this category. The rooms are spacious, there are family suites, rooms for non-smokers and allergy sufferers. A complete set of modern amenities, air conditioning, large bathrooms, etc. The hotel provides business services, conference facilities, guests can comfortably relax in the garden or in the jacuzzi.

One-star hotel Diamantino Town House, located in the center of Padua, is also quite popular. The hotel is located in an old building, the rooms are comfortable, the decor is refined. Breakfasts are served directly to the rooms, there is a cozy bar.

Prices in Padua

The price range for single rooms in one-star hotels is $66-160. In three-star hotels, a room will cost from 57 to 105 dollars. Four star hotels offer rooms for 65-160 dollars.

Price plays a big role for many tourists, and they sort hotels according to this indicator. You can pre-book a room in the hotel you like, there are a lot of offers, and there is no commission for mediation.

On a special website, independent booking of hotels in Padua is also available. It is not difficult to navigate it, and the benefits are obvious - you will choose for yourself the option that will be optimal in terms of price and quality.