PADUA

Padua city centre boasts a wealth of fine medieval, renaissance and modern architecture; here a fascinating mix of historic and new, of centuries-old traditions combined with metropolitan rhythms creates a unique atmosphere.
The medieval palaces, churches and cobbled streets emanate a sense of history and culture, the shops, markets and locals, a sparkling vitality and vibrant modern life.

Padua's origins are very ancient. In the 4th century B.C. it rose from a fishing village to become the most important centre of the Veneto people.
Allied with the Romans against the Gauls, it became a Roman Municipium in 49 B.C. and reached a high degree of economic prosperity and great urban development under Augustus.

However, the town suffered a mortal blow when the Longobards set fire to it in 602.Recovery was slow. At the beginning of the twelfth century Padua was a free Commune and by the second half of the following century (after the parenthesis of the reign of Ezzelino da Romano) it was spreading its influence well beyond the Communal territory, clashing with the emperor, Arrigo VII, and with the La Scala family (1311-1329).

During the long war the Da Carrara family came to the fore and was granted seigneury of the town. (1338-1405). During the thirteenth century and for the whole of the fourteenth century the city went through a period of great cultural and artistic fervour.

The first circle of walls was built, followed by the Palazzo della Ragione, the Basilica of St. Anthony and the Church of the Eremitani. The University was founded in 1222; it was the second in Italy and attracted teachers and scholars from all over Europe. Both Dante and Petrarch stayed in Padua. The artistic scene was dominated by Giotto, whose masterpiece is the decoration of the Scrovegni Chapel (1303-1305).

Artists such as Guariento, Altichiero and Giusto followed in the wake of the master, creating cycles of frescoes of unparalleled artistry. The enlightened seigneury of the Da Carrara family came to an end in 1405; Padua fell under the dominion of Venice, whose fate it shared until the end. Padua remained a leader in the artistic field at least till the mid fifteenth century, thanks to the presence of Donatello and Mantegna.

Padua continued its renewal in the sixteenth century: the new circle of fortified walls was built; the new Town Hall, the Palazzo del Capitanio, the imposing Basilica of S. Giustina and the new Cathedral were also built. The University too knew a period of great splendour, with the Botanic Garden and the Anatomy theatre, the new Palazzo del Bo, where Galileo Galilei taught.

During the following three centuries Padua underwent a slow economic decline, reflected in the modesty of private and public buildings. The last great piece of town planning was the rearrangement of Prato della Valle (1775).

After the fall of Venice (1797) and the period of Napoleonic rule, Padua passed into Austrian hands (1813) and this situation continued until 1866 when the was annexed to the kingdom of Italy. Starting from the early years of the twentieth century, a new period of economic growth began, thanks to the development of industry, trade and tertiary services; this trend was strengthened in the period between the two wars and accelerated even more during the last thirty years, thus making Padua the most important managerial pole in North-East Italy.

Cultural life is very vital, too. This is refelected in the rich events calendar and in the wide range of art venues, galleries, exhibition halls and high quality collections. Special events, celebrations of culture and festivals run periodically throughout the year.

In the last years the Paduans have re-discovered the importance of the waterways which surround the city, and recently there has been an increasing development of boat tours. From March to October sightseeing boat tours offer cruises and journeys, which give the possibility to enjoy the view of the old walls and of peculiar spots of the city at the leisurely pace of river and canal boats.

Thanks to the presence of Padova Fiere (Padua Trade Exhibition Centre) and of the University the congressual activity is very vital too. Padova is an excellent business destination as the congress system offers the diverse range of meeting venues to ensure success. Good infrastructures, locations and multifunctional spaces, from stately homes to the most modern congress halls: Padova has the right meeting for any event.

Culture, art, science, entertainment, shopping, good cuisine, nightlife: whether you are wishing to stay one day or for a longer holiday Padova will surprise you with its oustanding variety of attractions.

THE PROVINCE OF PADUA

The Province has a vast but little-known cultural and artistic heritage and great natural assets. One has only to think of the worldwide famous spa resorts of Abano and Montegrotto Terme, of Euganean Hills' rich flora, of the countless venetian villas and medieval castles scattered all over the area, of the monasteries and churches built by the monastic orders, real treasure-troves of artistic works, of the mediaeval walled towns (Cittadella, Este, Monselice, Montagnana ), of the network of rivers, streams and canal, and of the many old farmhouses.

PADUA'S CUISINE

The Paduan cuisine combines high quality ingredients with a traditional simple way of cooking. A great variety of seasonal products feeds it in its diversity of hills, valleys, lagoons, fluvial and on the plain.

Tasteful examples of the typical Paduan cuisine are the numerous minestre maridae (soups with rice an pasta) pasta and fasoi (pasta and beans), risi e bisi (rice and peas), rice with chiken livers, rice with pumpkin, vegetable soup, sausages and luganeghe with polenta, quails and game of the plain and of the Po Delta, tripe and baccalà (stockfish) with white or yellow polenta.

The Euganean Hills are a real and true mine of wild herbs, excellent wines and oils. The area boasts thirteen D.O.C. wines, the quality carefully controlled and certified by the Consorzio Vini Colli Euganei. The area also has a long tradition of oil production. The oil has a particularly fruity flavour and an after taste that hints of sweet almonds. On of the most famous gastronomic products of the area is the Prosciutto Veneto Berico Euganeo better known as Montagnana sweet cured ham.

THE SPA TOWNS OF ABANO AND MONTEGROTTO

The spas of Abano and Montegrotto are situated near Padua in a spectacular region in Northern Italy, are surrounded by the regenerating greenery of the Euganean Hills. They make up the largest spa location in Europe specializing in mud baths and treatments, with 240 spa pools and specialized therapy departments in every hotel. At Abano and Montegrotto, hospitality has great value, and is deep-rooted in the choice of hotel and tourism services offered throughout the territory: modern and functional hotels, refined atmospheres and an impeccable service assures that the guests always come first, and are made to feel at home in the hotels, restaurants and therapy centres.

Health and Wellness are precious goods.
In the Spas of Abano and Montegrotto a millennial tradition helped by research and new technologies contributes to the maintenance of these important values.

Water and thermal mud from the earth’s core.
The waters of the Abano and Montegrotto basin are a unique thermal resource in the world: from the uncontaminated basins of the Pre-Alps, passing through the subsoil at a depth of 2,000-3,000 metres and becoming enriched with mineral salts, they surface in the Euganean spa baths at a temperature of 87° C.

The thermal mud is a clever mixture of natural clay, mineral water and micro-organisms that is “matured” in special tanks to provide it with all the therapeutic properties that make it so unique. It is an effective therapy in both relieving physical and muscle pain, in soothing and reducing swollen joints and particularly in combating osteoporosis and osteoarthrosis. The only mud with a European patent pending.

The Euganean Hills. A wealth of nature and history
The Regional Park, a hilly area of volcanic origin surrounding and covering around 19 thousand hectares, can be explored by car, on foot or bike, choosing from a range of panoramic roads. The Euganean Hills are an excellent location for visiting the Venetian Villas, these architectural jewels with their splendid facades and enchanting gardens. The Abano and Montegrotto spas also enjoy a unique and privileged location, just a stone’s throw from some of the most beautiful cities of Northern Italy, including Venice, Padua, Verona, Vicenza, Mantua and Ferrara.

Contacts:
Consorzio Terme Euganee
Largo Marconi, 8
35031 Abano Terme (PD)
Tel: 049 – 8666609 fax: 049 – 8666613
Numero Verde 800 – 255161
e-mail: consorzio@abanomontegrotto.it
www.abanomontegrotto.it

PADOVA CARD, YOUR KEY TO PADUA AND ITS PROVINCE

PadovaCard is your passport to the city of Padova and its surroundings. It offers free or reduced access to a host of monuments and attractions as well as free use of public buses and selected parking-places.

The card is the result of cooperation between Padova Tourist Office, the Municipality of Padova, the Province of Padova, the Azienda Padova Servizi and the Regione Veneto. The card gives free access to the civic museums of Padua: Scrovegni Chapel (except booking fee), Eremitani Civic Museum, Palazzo Zuckermann Museum, Ragione Palace, St. Giorgio Oratory, St. Michele Oratory, Caffè Pedrocchi-Piano Nobile, the Museum of Risorgimento, Loggia and Odeo Cornaro, Petrarch’s House and moreover, the Baptistery and the Botanical Garden and the Museum of Artistic Glass in Montegrotto Terme.

It offers reductions and discounts on visits to the places of great interest in Padua and Province, like museums, villas, historical gardens, castles, on boat trips, bed&breakfast accomodation, guided tours, Sightseeing Bus tours.
PadovaCard is your invitation from the city to visit Padua and its surroundings: we look forward to welcoming all visitors and having you as our guest in Padova.
Price: € 14,00

Contacts:
Turismo Padova
Riviera dei Mugnai 8
35137 Padova
TeL: 00 39 049 8767911
Fax: 00 39 049 650794
E-mail: info@turismopadova.it

Website: www.turismopadova.it