PADUA AND ITS UNESCO TREASURES
Padua is a city full of surprises. Just a few kilometres from AbanoRitz, Padua offers an area rich in history, art and city life, with unique experiences for every kind of visitor.
``PADOVA URBS PICTA``:
THE 14TH-CENTURY FRESCO CYCLES
Since 2021, Padua has officially shone in the firmament of global culture thanks to the inclusion of the Padova Urbs Picta site on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
This prestigious nomination celebrates eight monumental complexes located in the heart of the city, which house a unique collection of fresco cycles created during the 14th century, between 1302 and 1397.
The artistic itinerary is a succession of masterpieces signed by the greatest masters of the period, starting with the revolution of Giotto in the Scrovegni Chapel, and continuing with the works of Guariento, Altichiero, Jacopo Avanzi, Giusto de’ Menabuoi and Jacopo da Verona. These treasures are preserved in iconic places such as the Basilica of Saint Anthony, the majestic Palazzo della Ragione, the Carrarese Palace and the evocative Cathedral Baptistery. The “painted city” itinerary is finally rounded off by the intimate beauty of the Oratory of San Giorgio, the Oratory of San Michele and the Eremitani Church, making Padua an essential stop for anyone wishing to discover the roots of the Italian Renaissance.
SUGGESTED EXPERIENCES
In addition to the enchantment of the fourteenth-century frescoes, Padua offers a mosaic of experiences rooted in science and in the city’s lively student tradition.
Lovers of nature and knowledge cannot miss a stroll among the rare species of the Botanical Garden, the oldest in the world still on its original site and itself a UNESCO site, while those seeking the breath of academic history can step inside Palazzo del Bo, home to the historic university and to the first permanent anatomical theatre.
For a glimpse into the daily life of Paduans, the ideal is to enjoy an aperitivo under the arcades or in the lively Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta, perhaps sipping a spritz before exploring Sotto il Salone, the oldest covered market in Europe. The journey then continues towards the immensity of Prato della Valle, one of the largest and most spectacular squares on the continent, perfect for a relaxing pause before ending the day with a historic coffee at the famous Caffè Pedrocchi, the “café without doors” that has welcomed intellectuals and students for centuries.
THE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PADUA
Another UNESCO site that absolutely deserves to be experienced is the Botanical Garden founded in 1545 – the oldest university botanical garden in the world to retain its original layout.
Originally devoted to medicinal plants (the “simples”), today it is a centre for research, education and outreach. It preserves greenhouses, rare species and an important plant heritage, and is also an oasis of peace within the city.
Not to be missed: the Palazzo del Bo of the University of Padua, with its Renaissance anatomical theatre – the oldest and best-preserved in the world!
SQUARES AND CITY LIFE
The beating heart of Padua lies in its historic squares: Prato della Valle, one of the largest squares in Europe, Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza della Frutta and Piazza dei Signori, lively with cafés, markets, shops and cultural events.
Strolling among squares, palaces and historic streets, you can feel the vibrant life of the city, made up of art, history and everyday life intertwining at every corner.
