The historic city of Padova, also known as Padua is situated along the Bacchiglione and Brenta Rivers. It is also a part of the Padua-Venice Metropolitan area, making it the economic hub of the Veneto region of Northern Italy. Its scenic cityscape is made up of canopied streets leading to a large piazza, while its beautiful bridges crossed various sections of the Bacchiglione. The view of the Euganean Hills with its thriving agricultural valleys also inspire the literary giants like: Petrach, Foscolo, Shelley and Shakespeare. An Italy vacation to Padua will certainly add color and life to your vacation.
The city is the home of the one of the earliest university in Italy, the University of Padua. It is in this university where the famous scientist Galileo delivered one of his lectures. As such, the town has been considered a university town similar to that of Oxford. Your vacation to Italy in Padua will let you experience the university ambiance amidst its historic buildings, roads and alleys, with all the modern comforts.
An Italy vacation package to Padua includes a trip to the city’s most famous tourist destinations like the Scrovegni Chapel. Inside the 14th century chapel are the frescoes of Giotto. Visitors are advised to make prior arrangements to the Chapel; this is because the visitors are required to wait 15 minutes before entry to the climate controlled church in order to even out the temperature inside and outside the church. This is made for preservation purposes.
Some Italy vacations also include the Il Santo or the Sant’ Antonio Basilica in their package itineraries. The church is a famous pilgrimage site, because it is the home of the relics of St. Anthony. Both pilgrims and tourists are sure to enjoy the church’s facade and architecture which combines Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque influences which dates back from the 11th century. The church’s treasures include Lombardo’s reliefs, Aspetti’s statues, Donatello’s bronze Madonna and Child and the 14th century Madonna del Pilastro among others.
A vacation to Italy in this city should also include the 12th century Palazzo della Ragione. It has the largest roof in Europe and the architectural ingenuity of this is that it is unsupported by any columns. Its walls have frescoes which were renovated by Miretto and da Ferrara in the 15th century. Beneath it is the age old market where you can find souvenir items and fresh ingredients.
The Museum of Precinema is housed in the 15th century Palazzo Angeli. The museum has wonderful collection of precursors of film and it also has interactive exhibits which are loaned to famous exhibits like the Lanterne magique et film peint in Paris and the Turin’s Museum of Cinema. The museum is sure to pique your curiosity about storytelling, mythology, puppetry and shadow play while you’re on an Italy vacation package.
Complete your Italy vacation in Padua by enjoying the sun in Prato della Valle. The elliptical square of Prato della Valle is one of the city’s famous landmarks. Enjoy its green island which is surrounded by a small canal which is lined up by statues. Said to be one of the biggest squares in Europe, this 18th century square is the city’s foremost meeting place and picnic grounds. Recently, it also hosts New Year and the Feast of Annunciation parties and celebrations.
Tags: baroque influences, canopied streets, economic hub, euganean hills, italy vacations, literary giants, madonna and child, scientist galileo, university of padua, veneto region