Probably better known as the city of St. Anthony, Padua is one of the most important Art Cities in Italy. Its face is marked by 3000 years of history. Founded as a fishermen's village, in the 4th century BC. it became the most important centre of the Venetians.
In 12th century Padua is a free Commune: during the two following centuries it knows a quick development and with the Seigneury of the Carrara family (1338-1405) it reaches the height in its political power, expanding its domination to a large part of central Veneto.
Scrovegni Chapel. It strikes the ancient Roman Amphitheatre (the Arena) and holds, entirely preserved, the celebrated frescoes by Giotto , the most complete cycle produced by the great Florentine painter (1303-1305), on the greatest monuments of figurative art of all time.
In the nearby Town Museum, fitted out in the former Augustinian Hermits monastery, one can admire more celebrated works of art dating back to the 14th century. Amongst them: the Crucifix by Giotto and the Armed Angels painted on wood by Guariento and a great collection of Venetian paintings from the 14th to the 17th century.
Eremitani Church. Built at the turn of the 13th century, the Augustinian church has a wonderful wooden ceiling, due to Fra' Giovanni, and many monumental tombs.
Badly damaged by bombing in 1944, it was restored after the war: unfortunately most of the frescoes that decorated the church were lost. In the Presbytery still survive, partly recovered, the frescoes by Guariento (1368-1370). In the Ovetari Chapel, which was entirely frescoed, there remain the Martyre of St. James and the remnants of the Martyre of St. Christopher, juvenile masterpiece by Andrea Mantegna (1448-1457).
St. Anthony Basilica. . Started immediately after the death of the Santo (1231) and completed at the beginning of the following century, it is an imposing construction in Romanesque-Gothic style, with eight domes and spires of eastern inspiration. It holds the body of St. Anthony and is the object of pilgrimages from all over the world.
Among the numberless works of art it keeps, one must point out the frescoes by Altichiero and Giusto de' Menabuoi (end of the 14th century); the Crucifix, the statues and the bronze reliefs of the High Altar, superlative work by Donatello (1444-1448); the Altar of the Saint and the Treasure Chapel. Near the Basilica rise the St. George Oratory, holding a great cycle of frescoes by Altichiero (1379-1384) and the School of the Saint, that keeps three famous frescoes by Titian (1511). In the square stands the bronze equestrian monument to the Gattamelata. , Donatello's masterpiece, completed in 1453. Besides the Basilica in the via Cesarotti, the Loggia and Odeo Cornaro, magnificent work by G.M. Falconetto (1527).
Prato della Valle. The traditional site for fairs and entertainments (underground the remnants of a Roman theatre) was reclaimed in 1775 by Domenico Cerato, by order of Andrea Memmo. It is a square of great scenographic appearance, decorated by a canal with four bridges and by 78 statues of famous men.
St. Justine Basilica. Imposing church built by the Benedictine friars in 16th century, on the site of early places of cult (it keeps the remains of the old early Christian basilica back to the half of the 6th century). The solemn interior contains many fine works of art, of which the Martyre of St. Justine by Veronese (1575).