Padova, Euganean Hills, Walled towns

•  Padova
•  Euganean Hills
•  Walled towns

Padova

Padova is one of the most important art cities in Italy. Better known as the city of St. Anthony, is famous also for its richness in art and architecture and for its seven-century-old university. It's worth to take a day to visit it!
Let's start from the masterpiece by Giotto: the Scrovegni Chapel, which holds, entirely preserved, the most complete cycle of frescoes produced by Giotto. In the area around the chapel you have the ancient Roman Amphitheatre; the town museum where you can admire precious archaeological finds, rare coins collections, and famous works of art.

Now we walk to the city centre (walking area) where you find: Palazzo della Ragione that stands between piazza dei Frutti and piazza delle Erbe (everyday market); Piazza dei Signori enclosed by Palazzo del Capitanio, that incorporates the Torre dell'orologio; beyond the arch of the clock tower is Piazza del Capitaniato. A few steps and you are in piazza del Duomo of which it is interesting to visit the Baptistry.

Going back to Piazza delle Erbe and della Frutta you reach the porticoed Piazza Cavour with Caffè Pedrocchi, famous meeting place for scholars, it was the scene of student uprising in 1848. Nearby there is Palazzo del Bo, the main seat of the university of Padova founded in 1222.

Leaving this area you can go to the Basilica S. Antonio (St. Anthony Basilica), an imposing construction in Romanesque Gothic style, with 8 domes and spires of eastern inspiration. Inside is the body of St. Anthony.
From the Basilica you can already see Prato della Valle, a traditional site for fairs and amusements. Not far there is the Botanical Garden founded in 1545 with the name of "Simples garden" (medical plants) by the Faculty of Medicine.

Useful info to visit Padova (see www.turismopadova.it):
- Padova Card: valid for 48 hours from date and time of issue. It's valid for most of the museums and other facilities, bus, parking, bike rental. Cost 14,00 euro.
- Cappella degli Scrovegni: advance booking (at least 48 h. before) at the number 0039 049 2010020. Cost 12,00 euro.

Euganean Hills

The green landscape of the Euganean Hills with its flora is certainly one of the most significant naturalistic aspects. Among the hills are numerous monasteries, sanctuaries, castles and villas.

A suggested itinerary is the following:
Motorway exit (A13) Terme Euganee / Battaglia Terme. Follow direction to Arquà Petrarca, one of the most beautiful villages (borgo) in Italy, and first stop of our itinerary. Francesco Petrarca was attracted by the beautiful landscape and spent his last days in Arqua Petrarca and his house can still be visited. Stop here and there to see the beautiful views and of course to taste the sweets and liquors of "giuggiole".

After Arquà Petrarca you reach "villa Valsanzibio", one of the most important in Europe. Water makes alive the extraordinary universe of fountains, cascades, fishponds and brooks. (www.valsanzibiogiardino.it).

Let's go now to Galzignano Terme, Torreglia and finally to "Abbazia di Praglia" that is worth a visit also for its marvellous cloisters from the 15th century.

Follow then to Abano Terme to go back to Battaglia Terme (and motorway). Near Battaglia Terme you can find the Catajo castle.

Walled towns

Padova itself is a walled town as its historical centre is still surrounded by the wall circle built in the 16th century.

After Padova you can reach Monselice, where you find the Castle Grimani Marcello Cini, and the road to the Shrine: seven chapels, ending at villa Duodo.

Continue your way to Este, with its castle erected by the Da Carrara family with its square plan. Este has been an important Roman municipium and sits within embattled walls and towers and offers a highly valued National Museum.

In the end we find Montagnana, with its 13th century curtain-like wall which encircle the city for 1925 meters.

There are many walled towns in the region and the nearest ones you can reach from our agriturismo are those of of Padova, but also Asolo (see Treviso), Castelfranco Veneto, Cittadella, Conegliano, Noale, and Treviso itself, and don't forget Bassano, Marostica e Vicenza (see Vicenza)