Padua
Padua (Padova) lies 37 km (23
miles) west of Venice, on the River Brenta. There has been a town here since
before Roman times, but the Middle Ages were its glory days. The
university, founded in 1222, is the second oldest in Italy, and boasts
many venerable figures such as Galileo, Petrarch and Dante amongst its
professors and alumni.
Modern Padua is a lively city but is something of an urban sprawl
surrounding a lovely medieval centre, which holds a remarkable treasure -
the Arena Chapel. Enrico Scrovegni fearing for the soul of his father, a
money lender, used his ill-gotten gains to build this chapel, dedicated
to the Virgin Mary. In 1305, he commissioned Giotto to paint a series of
frescoes upon the walls, and the results are magnificent, illustrating
the life of Christ and his Mother. One of the best-known images is the
Kiss of Judas, and the series ends with the Last Supper. Visitors must
book at least one day in advance to visit the chapel, and can only spend
15 minutes there. It is, however, an experience not to be missed.
The other main site of interest is the basilica that houses the shrine of
St Antony, which has a wealth of art. Outside is Donatello's giant bronze
equestrian statue of Gattamelata, the Venetian general Erasmo da Narni.
The historic centre holds other treats, as well as a tragedy - the Chiesa
degli Eremitani, built in the fourteenth century, was full of marvellous
frescoes by Mantegna, most of which were destroyed during World War II.
There are, however, splendid Palladian villas, some of which may be
visited, dotted around the area.
Get to Padua in Italy by train from Venice, Bologna or Milan.
