Padua art treasures: Giotto's Scrovegni Chapel to the University Botanical Gardens

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Welcome to Padua, or 'Padova' for those who like to add Italian flair to their vocabulary. This city is like a well-filled Pinsa: packed with artistic heritage, architectural masterpieces, and an unmistakable university vibe. Prepare yourself for a quick tour through a place where the history books are thicker than the toppings on your pizza. Padua is a city that you can't comprehend in an afternoon or even a day. Take your time, book two nights, and let yourself be carried away by the fascinating mix of science, art, and history.

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Padua proudly boasts superlatives like 'oldest', 'first', and 'largest'. All Italian greats have left something behind here, from Galileo and Giotto to Dante. The city is larger than you might think, both in size and concept. Everywhere you encounter the fascinating contrast between pompous religiosity and the cradle of Western science and humanism.

Practical tips for visiting Padua

A practical tip when visiting Padua: do it by bike, register (it takes at least 10 minutes, might as well sit down for it) on the app of Ridemovi, take a day pass right away for an unlimited number of rides and 60 actual minutes on the bike), forget the other options, unless you're really sure you'll need the bike for just half an hour and that's it. I recommend the bike unless you don't mind walking long distances, as the distances between the various attractions are quite far.The Botanical Gardens are several km away from the station, Prato delle Valle is quite large and walking through it just once might take 30 minutes.

How Padua differs from other Italian art cities

My impression of art in Padua may be somewhat nuanced, and of course art is all about nuances, so I want to add something because Padua does differ from other art cities. Although Florence is often praised as the cradle of the Renaissance, especially due to the development of painting, sculpture, and architecture by artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, Padua's contributions in the fields of perspective and naturalism are just as important. The art of Venice is known for its color, light, and dramatic compositions, with artists such as Titian and Tintoretto.

Padua, on the other hand, focused more on the intellectual and scientific aspects of art, influenced by the university environment. Art in Rome, especially during the High Renaissance and Baroque periods, is grand and often connected to the patronage of the church, with works by Raphael, Michelangelo, and Bernini. The art of Padua, although also religious, is more closely connected to academic research and early innovations in naturalism and perspective.

Why are Giotto's Frescoes so important?

The frescoes of Giotto in the Cappella degli Scrovegni are important because this is the first time that religious art turns away from deep symbolism and shows itself from an emotional side, a major turning point in art history and the basis for the humanism that characterizes the Renaissance. Artists in Padua, such as Giotto and Mantegna, were pioneers in the use of linear perspective, which was revolutionary at that time. This innovation made realistic and three-dimensional representations in art possible. The University of Padua attracted scholars and intellectuals from all over Europe and fostered a culture that encouraged artistic experiments and the mixing of scientific research with artistic expression.

P.S. A visit to Giotto's frescoes in the Cappela degli Scovegni must be booked at least 24 hours in advance on the website:http://www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it/

Botanical Gardens, the Basilica of St. Anthony, and Giotto's Frescoes - Highlights of Padua

The university houses some of the most interesting attractions that often remain underexposed in travel guides. Absolute highlights are the Botanical Gardens, the Basilica of St. Anthony (dedicated to the Portuguese saint who died here on June 13), and Giotto's frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel.

Galileo Galilei, the most famous resident of Padua, experienced his glory years here. He found a rare cultural openness in Padua. Here he wrote groundbreaking works, designed instruments such as the thermometer, and discovered the rings of Saturn and the four largest moons of Jupiter. Galileo gave private lessons to students in his house near the St. Anthony Basilica to supplement his professor's salary and fund his experiments. Unfortunately, this historic property was sold for 4.8 million euros in 2022 and is now being converted into parking garages and luxury apartments. Occasionally, that's the way the heritage cookie crumbles in modern-day Italy.

The Scrovegni Chapel, Giotto's masterpiece, is a highlight of the early Renaissance. The wealthy banker Enrico Scrovegni commissioned the chapel in 1303, hoping to save his father Reginaldo from the eternal damnation that Dante had wished upon him in his Inferno. Perhaps this was a case of 'too little, too late', but it provided the world with an invaluable work of art.

Prato della Valle: The largest square in Italy and a paradise for circle walkers

With 90,000 square meters, it's a monument of 18th-century megalomania, conceived by Andrea Memmo, the Venetian governor with a fondness for large, wet circles. Once a marshy military training ground, it was transformed into a multifunctional wonder, complete with an island (l'Isola Memmia) surrounded by a moat - because why make drainage boring? The 78 statues around the canal aren't just decoration; they form a who's who in stone of Padua's history, financed by local families who liked to put their heroes on a pedestal. If you've counted all the statues and are still standing upright, you probably missed a circle!

Dante Alighieri & Giotto di Bondone (Giotto) in Padua

It is almost certain that Dante and Giotto met around 1303 in Padua. Dante, exiled from Florence, was living in the Palazzo Romanin Jacur at that time. They might have already known each other, but their meeting in Padua was certainly fruitful. Dante came up with the word 'artista' for Giotto here, because he felt that 'artigiano' (craftsman) didn't suit such a genius. Thus, the foundation was laid for the modern concept of the artist!

The Palazzo della Ragione is an impressive building that you shouldn't miss. The stairs are so imposing that you can imagine merchants and lawyers having important conversations as they climbed upward. The building once housed a market hall, city hall, and justice palace. On the first floor were craft shops, while the daily fresh market took place in the adjacent squares.

A curious detail: in the marble of the building, you'll find engraved standard measurements, such as the dimensions of a brick or the exact length of a stick to measure fabric. These 'built-in measuring tapes' served as indisputable standards for trade on the street. Handy for those who wanted to avoid being sent home with a too-short piece of cloth.

Don't forget to visit the churches and basilicas of Padua. The Scrovegni Chapel, the Battistero di San Giovanni Battista with the masterpieces of Giusto de Menabuoi is UNESCO World Heritage. If you have to choose, go for the Basilica of St. Anthony. There you get more holiness for your euro.

The University of Padua

The University of Padua, founded in 1222, is the second oldest in Italy and the fifth oldest in the world. The heart of the university is Palazzo Bo, named after an old inn with the sign of the ox. In 1539, the university acquired full ownership and established the famous anatomical theater here, where teaching continued until 1872. The most famous room is the Aula Magna, originally the domain of the jurists, but where, as an exception, Galileo was allowed to teach. Apparently, the boundaries between law and astronomy were somewhat vaguer back then than they are today.

Palazzo Liviano with the Hall of Giants

Other highlights of the university are the Palazzo Liviano with the Hall of Giants, decorated with frescoes of Roman emperors, and the Palazzo Cavalli with its beautifully decorated staircase and ceilings.

The Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden, on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997, is an oasis in the city. The garden dates back to 1545 and is the oldest in the world. The tropical greenhouses are impressively large, even larger than those of King Albert (and yes, I've happened to see those as well). The garden represents "the birth of science, scientific exchanges, and understanding of the relationship between nature and culture," according to UNESCO. Not bad for a collection of plants, right?

The Specola Tower

The Specola Tower, converted into an astronomical museum, is one of the most fun attractions in Padua. Here you can admire the rooms and instruments used by Paduan astronomers in the 18th and 19th centuries. One of the myths is that this was Galileo's tower, where he made his famous discoveries. Unfortunately, the observatory was built about 150 years after Galileo's death. Sorry, time travelers!

Villa Bolasco

About a 10-minute walk from the station lies Villa Bolasco, with an English park that was proclaimed the "Most Beautiful Park in Italy" in 2018. The park alternates meadows, ponds, hills, and trees, and is completed by an elegant riding arena surrounded by (another) 52 statues.

The Jewish Ghetto of Padua

Last but not least, there is the former Jewish ghetto, with the only remaining functioning synagogue in the city. Padua had a stable Jewish presence from the end of the 13th century, but conditions deteriorated after the Venetian conquest in 1405. From 1603, the Jews were confined to a ghetto, where additional housing could only be found by building upward. The result was a sort of medieval skyscraper neighborhood, but without elevators.

The Main Attractions of Padua

1. 1. Scrovegni Chapel (Cappella degli Scrovegni) - The chapel is full of frescoes by Giotto, the wonder child of Renaissance art. These frescoes show that Giotto could truly work magic with a brush in the 14th century; you'll never see more amazing blue tints anywhere. The frescoes depict scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary and Christ and are considered one of the masterpieces of Western art. The chapel is located in the Giardini dell'Arena, a beautiful park with a Roman arena. A visit to Giotto's frescoes in the Cappela degli Scovegni must be booked at least 24 hours in advance on http://www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it/</a>
   2. Basilica of St. Anthony (Basilica di Sant'Antonio) - Colloquially called 'Il Santo'. A top spot among religious sites, full of devout visitors and architecture that feels Byzantine with a touch of Gothic. It contains the tomb of Saint Anthony of Padua, a beloved Franciscan saint.
   3. The gigantic open-air market on Piazza delle Erbe is an exuberant feast of culinary specialties. Dozens of colorful stalls stand in the shadow of the medieval Palazzo della Ragione, while two long, covered arcades, called the Salone, are filled with irresistible delicatessen shops specializing in salami and prosciutto, Parmesan cheese, salted cod, and fresh pasta.
   4. Prato della Valle - The largest square in Italy, where you can walk around and count statues until you're blue in the face (78 to be exact), known for its beautiful round island surrounded by a canal. It's a hotspot for events, markets, and people who like to walk in circles.
   5. Museo Civico agli Eremitani - A place full of archaeological treasures and art. It is located next to the Scrovegni Chapel and offers insight into the history and cultural development of the region. The museum and chapel are within walking distance from the station.
   6. Caffè Pedrocchi - This café has been open since the 19th century. Perfect for an espresso or a historical treatise on the risks of too much caffeine. This historic café was built in the 19th century and was a famous meeting place for intellectuals and students. It is known for its distinctive green and white interiors.
   7. The baptistery of the cathedral (Battistero del Duomo) - Located next to the cathedral of Padua, this baptistery is known for its beautiful 14th-century frescoes by Giusto de' Menabuoi, which cover the entire interior.
   8. Piazza dei Signori - The beating heart of Padua, where you can watch the clock without a watch and enjoy the local life unfolding before you. This is where you need to be for nice cafés and good restaurants.

The Best Eateries in Padua

Dining out in Padua means simplicity and quality. This is a student city, so price is important. Most restaurants in Padua use only the freshest ingredients bought directly from the markets at Piazza dei Frutti and Piazza delle Erbe. They call it the city of the three 'without': the saint without a name, the café without doors, the meadow without grass, but when it comes to food, the city in Veneto lacks nothing. The restaurants for good eating in Padua are numerous: here are the gastronomic stops you shouldn't miss to taste the typical local cuisine. Most menus even contain typical dishes from Padua, dating back to the Middle Ages, such as folpetti, bigoli in salsa, and sfilacci di cavallo. Where do you find those? Here are the addresses you should try.

Ristorante Belle Parti

This is definitely high-end, but certainly worth it; recommended to reserve in advance. In the center, but easily accessible. Beautiful and certainly romantic, fish dishes are their specialty.

Osteria l'Anfora

On the other end of the spectrum, simple, many students eat here, well-maintained, near the university.

Al Duomo Pizzeria

According to insiders, the best pizza in Padua, although you sometimes have to wait a bit long.

Hotels in Padua

Isola Memmia

Isola Memmia is located in a historic building in Padua on the Prato delle Valle and offers rooms with free wireless internet. This family-run B&B is just a 5-minute walk from the Basilica of Sant'Antonio. Free bicycle rental is available.

Palazzo Mantua Benevides

Beautiful historic building near Padua

Le Camp Suite & Spa

The rooms and suites of Le Camp feature elegant parquet floors, hypoallergenic mattresses, and air conditioning. The rooms are soundproof and have a minibar, a coffee corner, and a tea maker. They all have a flat-screen TV with Sky channels. The private bathroom is complete with bathrobe and slippers. Some units have a balcony.

Massimago Wine Tower

A fourteenth-century tower surrounded by an ancient and fairy-tale park outside the center. The tower, together with the bastion, forms part of the old defense walls of Padua. Massimago Wine Tower, an oasis of tranquility in the heart of the city, offers three elegant suites named after three prominent historical figures who have contributed to the extraordinary character of Padua: Giotto, Donatello, and Galileo Galilei.