Location: Padua
Top Things to do in Padua
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What to do and see in Padua, Veneto: The Best Things to do
Known as Padova in Italian, Padua may be the oldest city in northern Italy, if you believe the claims of its 12th-century BC founding by Trojans. It certainly has history, including its famous university (one of Europe’s oldest, from 1222), the 13th-century Basilica di Sant'Antonio (resting place of St. Anthony), and Scrovegni Chapel, with Giotto’s famed 14th century frescos. The magnificent Prato della Valle, a 950,000-square-foot elliptical square, is thought to be Europe’s second-biggest.
Restaurants in Padua
1. Scrovegni Chapel
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7,170 reviews
Reviewed By LeonaHtheQueen - Seattle, United States
This is one of the most incredibly places in the world. Giotto's frescoes have been lovingly preserved. You have to wait in an air-conditioned waiting room where they show an excellent little film with English subtitles, telling you about the history of the chapel and all the frescoes in it. Then you go in and they let you stay for about 20 minutes. Each one of the fresco pictures tells the most moving and beautiful, and human, story. He influenced all of future European art with the detail, the emotion, the humanity. Your ticket gets you into the rest of the museums too. Absolutely one of the highlights of my entire life to see this place in person.
2. Basilica di Santa Giustina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 666 reviews
Reviewed By KW1975 - Chesterfield, United Kingdom
We visited here on a day trip to Padua while staying in Venice for a week. While Padua itself was a little disappointing, this was a lovely place to visit. We were lucky as we managed to go in just before they closed for mid-afternoon, but still managed to spend about half an hour inside, although could have spent longer. Even though I am not religious, I have always appreciated religious architecture. They are some of the most stunningly beautiful buildngs. This basilica is definitely worth a visit, check times before arriving to ensure you have the time needed to really take everything in.
3. Basilica of St. Anthony
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,715 reviews
Basilica where the apostle St. Mark is buried and which contains the largest bronze works of Donatello.
Reviewed By periandro - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
That imposing church is with no doubt the most important monument in the city of Padova. It started being built in 1232, its main part being completed towards the end of the thirteenth century. It's dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua whose name before becoming a Franciscan monk was Ferdinand. He was born in Lisbon and after having lived only about 36 years died in Padova on June 13th 1231. Already seen from the other end of the Via Beato Luca Belludi, and from even farther, in Prato della Valle, one is astounded at the sight of such a magnificent edifice. Upon approaching that world important treasure walking along the mentioned street the thrill one gets out of the thought about the marvels he is going to behold cannot be easily described. A mixture of styles stands out when observing with interest different parts and elements of that temple. As regards such a mixture, particularly the romanesque outer structure obviously contrasting with the purely gothic style of the church interior ought to be outlined. Besides, some baroque and renaissance chapels cound among those of the church. These different styles combined together constitutes a characteristic of that Basilica which distinguishes it from other medieval places of worship. Upon entering the temple one is startled by the grandiose austerity of its inner part which again diverges considerably from the picturesque character of the exterior. Paying again attention to the outer part of the Basilica some architectural features can be admired from the large square where it stands: the domes, the graceful belfry towers, the minarets and the large and beautiful façade. On the latter's lower level there are five pointed arches and above them there is a covered gallery and further above a balustrade supported by a structure formed by manifold arches in the same style as the lower level five ones but much smaller in size resting on relatively thin pillars with Corynthian capitals standing on the said gallery. Outstanding are the bronze doors by C. Boito. The nice painting on the main door pediment is a copy of a work by Mantegna. The statue of St Anthony above the pediment in a niche is also a copy. The original dating back from the 14th century is a sculpture by Reynauldin of Gascony. The stated large square, Piazza del Santo, is now dominated by Donatello's bronze statue of Erasmus Gattamelata of Narni. It's a superb statue. Along the square concerned there are two chapels, both of them with very nice frescoes in its interior: the oratoryof St. George and the School of the Saint. The latter is of a great interest since three of the the frescoes it contains showing scenes from St. Anthony's life are early works by Tiziano. Among these, that called Saint Anthony makes a New-born Baby speak is a precious artwork. Again as regards the interior, once inside the form of the Basilica being that of a Lating cross is quite evident despite the semi-dark atmosphere percieved in the internal part of the building. It's a three-aisle church, the central nave being higher that the side aisles until the crosspiece of the Latin cross. It's a cross-vault church. At first sight one is impressed at the view offered by the combination of art, light, History and fervour. Looking above the central portal it's possible to observe a large fresco by Pietro Annigoni dominating the inside of the façade. It depicts St. Anthony preaching from the Walnut Tree. On the first column on the left hand side looking in the direction of the high altar a fresco painted by Stefano da Ferrara: “Madonna and Child” is worth being observed particularly because of the pleasing and attractive traits of the two main personages. The side chapel of St. Anthony is really spectacular. It's a splendid renaissance work whose architect has not been established with a complete certainty. It's thought that it was Tullio Lombardo. It's a very well embellished chapel thanks to the works of some of the greatest sculptors of the time, which stirs up the admiration of any sensitive person. On the walls there are nine marble reliefs showing scenes from the life of St. Anthony and some of his miracles. In the centre there is the marvellous altar-tomb of St. Anthony, which is a splendid work by Tiziano Aspetti dating back to 1594. The Basilica main altar and its chancel are separated from the transept by an elegant communion rail adorned with four beautiful statues by Tiziano Aspetti. The Donatello's bronze masterpieces finding themselves in that part of the church are the most famous works of art in that temple. Among them the Crucifix and the figure of St. Justina are the most outstanding sculptures there. Admirable are the pictorial decorations of the sides and the vaults over the chancel and the apse especially the important work by the Bolognese artist A. Casanova. The chapel of the Madonna Mora has a beautiful gothic altar where the statue of the Blessed Virgin by Renauldin Puydarient has a majestic character. The walls are covered with nice frescoes from the 13th and the 14th centuries. The chapel of the Blessed Luke Belludi, a disciple of St. Anthony, is dazzling on account of the elaborate wall fresco scheme which is a work by Giusto de' Menabuoi (1382). The central fresco paninting depicts Our Lady Enthroned among Franciscans Saints. There are also some radial chapels which extend from the apse. They were all decorated towards the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries except the central chapel. The most interesting of those chapels is perhaps that of Saint Joseph with its oleographic frescoes by Ermolao Paoletti (1896). The Chapel of Blessings is also susceptible to admiration because of its large frescoes by Pietro Annigoni (1981). Among the said radial chapels, the Chapel of the Relics deserves a special consideration. It dates back to the end of the 17th century and was made in a sumptuous baroque style under Filippo Parodi's design. It's a wonderful chapel at the sight of which one is charmed with so much beauty and art such as that which may be observed in the six statues standing on the balustrade before the altar. There are three niches in which reliquaries, chalices as well as ex voto and other precious objects are kept. The chapel also houses St. Anthony's habit and the coffin in which his body was laid. The chapel of St. James, opposite to that of St. Anthony, is a real masterpiece of the 14th century Italian art. The painting on the rear wall is an outstanding marvel. It's divided in three parts and depicts the Crucifixion. The gothic style chapel of the Blessed Sacrament is adorned with an abundance of bronze, marble and works of art which altogether provide it with a great beauty making one be transposed to a world of enchantment. That chapel houses the tomb of Gattamelata and that of his son John Anthony. There are five cloisters on one side of the Basilica: the Paradise Cloister, the Novitiate Cloister, the Magnolia Cloister, the General Cloister and the Museum (or Blessed Luke Belludi) Cloister. It's a pleasure as well as a relaxing exercice to amble under the arcades of any of those cloisters while contemplating some sublime parts of the edifice architectural structure as well as the lawn and gardens in the middle. The Magnolia Cloister bears that name on account of the gorgeous magnolia tree in the center of it. The beholding of that powerful tree is certainly an attitute enriching one's mind. I goes without saying therefore that the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua must imperatively be visited while in that city, if not in the first place at least on the first day of the stay in that city. The visit should be done with no limit whatsoever as to the time to be devoted to it. It sould last as long as necessary in order to have the possibility to observe every single detail with as much attention as possible.
4. Civic Museum (Museo Civico di Padova)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 293 reviews
Reviewed By Lovett17
In addition to the Cappella dei Scrovegni which is amazing, there is an excellent are gallery with a huge collection of important paintings fro 12th Century onwards - well presented and very helpful staff. Good value
5. Palazzo della Ragione
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,684 reviews
Reviewed By Derekuz23 - Adelaide, Australia
The ground floor of this civic building covers multiple food shops, while market stalls are set up in thd adjacent piazzas on weekdays. The upper level is a huge great hall, the interior walls of which are covered by frescoes depicting the influence of the zodiac on human life and activities, as well as mtipld coats of arms. At the western end of the hall is a huge wooden horse made in 1466 for the Capodilista family and given to the city 400 years later. A working Foucault’s pendulum is in the south east corner of the great hall. The loggia on the south side of the great hall overlooks Piazza delle Erbe.
6. Prato della Valle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,531 reviews
Reviewed By Jlaide2003 - London, United Kingdom
Just a few minutes walk from the basilica of San Antonio is this beautiful and vast square that is a must visit. Lined by the statues of the most important people in Italian history, this square is a rather relaxing and peaceful place to be if you want to spend an afternoon or morning with your family or friends or just yourself, have a picnic or just enjoy the moment. Tram stops are close by.
7. University of Padova
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 715 reviews
Reviewed By wiltshiretraveller1 - Bristol, United Kingdom
Fascinating place... beautiful and historic. It was wonderful in particular to see the lecture theatre used to help advance early medical science
8. Padua Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,314 reviews
Founded in 1545, the University of Padua Botanical Garden is the oldest in the world to have maintained its original location and architectural layout. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Green heart of Padua city centre, it is host to more than 6,000 specimens and 3,500 species on a total area of 3.5 hectares. In the old Garden, characterised by a charming circular structure enclosed within walls, there are medicinal, insectivores, poisonous, succulents, aquatic, and ornamental plants, as well as historical plants such as “Goethe’s Palm” (1585). In 2014 the Garden was expanded with the construction of the Biodiversity Garden, consisting of five low-impact large greenhouses where visitors can enjoy a fascinating journey through the planet’s natural biomes – from tropical to sub-humid areas, from temperate zones to deserts – while exploring the thousand-year relationship between plants and humankind.
Reviewed By colette0411 - Padua, Italy
A beautiful respite in the center if the town near St Anthony and Prato. The medicinal plants are amazing as are the water repellant plants. A great day visit for all ages.
9. Centro Storico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,467 reviews
Reviewed By massimoswitz - Opfikon, Switzerland
Pavia has a beautiful historic center where you can visit several palaces, squares, shops, bars and restaurants. Very pleasant to take an interesting walk.
10. MUSME - Museum of the History of Medicine of Padova
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 831 reviews
Reviewed By deemermaid2015 - Portland, United States
Opened in 2014, this museum is on the site of the first ‘ospedale’. Focus is on history of medicine, here is the birthplace ..., human anatomy and a health and nutrition activity for the younger set. Definitely something for everyone. Don’t miss it! Diana and Winston, tucson AZ USA
