Local area

Padua city centre features a lot of attractions such as famous Scrovegni Chapel, Basilica of Saint Anthony, Pedrocchi Coffee and the ancient University.

An absolute masterpiece of 14th century Italian and European painting, the Scrovegni Chapel is considered the most complete cycle of frescoes created by the great Tuscan painter Giotto. The artist skilfully blended color and light, narrating the life of the Madonna and Christ as never before. The result was his greatest testimony and masterpiece, becoming a real model for future generations of artists.

Commonly nicknamed Il Santo by Paduans, Saint Anthony’s Basilica is the main monument of Padua. The basilica was completed towards the end of the thirteenth century and, although the architect who designed it remains unknown, the skilful combination of Romanesque and Gothic styles gave life to a completely original work that represents a true masterpiece.

Dating back to 1218, Palazzo della Ragione, which was once the courthouse, is one of the most famous monuments of Padua.The enormous architectural value that the building already had was enhanced by cycle of frescoes attributed to Giotto in the fourteenth century, which were partially destroyed due to a fire and fortunately later restored. Over the centuries, Palazzo della Ragione has maintained its central role in the public life of the city of Padua.

One of the largest squares in Europe, as well as the most famous in Padua, Prato della Valle with its striking statues and green grass, is the symbol of our city and a meeting place for all Paduans. The square has always held economic and recreational functions that continue to this day: the large city market, as well as numerous events, take place here throughout the year.

A historic building and a symbol of the city of Padua, Caffè Pedrocchi ranks among the grandest cafés ever built. According to its visionary founder, the Bergamasque coffee merchant Antonio Pedrocchi, it was meant to become the most beautiful café on Earth. To bring this vision to life, he commissioned the renowned Venetian architect Giuseppe Jappelli, entrusting him with the task of giving the structure an elegant and unique identity.

On June 29, 1545, the Council of the Pregadi of the Serenissima Republic of Venice approved the construction of what would become the world's oldest university botanical garden. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997, the Botanical Garden of Padua is a true masterpiece, both from an architectural and scientific perspective.

The Palazzo del Bo, commonly known as “Il Bo”, is the historic seat of the University of Padua. The palace, with its oldest sections dating back to the 13th century, was donated in 1405 by Francesco da Carrara to a meat merchant. It was later used by the university, which became its official owner in 1539. Its peculiar name originates from the fact that the building was constructed incorporating an ancient inn, the Hospitium Bovis, which displayed an ox skull (bo in Italian) as its sign.