Padua's historic center spans seven centuries of architecture and holds several must-see sights, including the University, Café Pedrocchi, the Duomo and Baptistery.
The attractions of Padua's old town are so close together, that the best way to see them is on foot. Start at the Palazzo del Capitano on the Piazza dei Signori, a broad square surrounded by small shops, cafes and bars. At one end, Palazzo Capitano has a clock tower built in 1599 and a 1344 astronomical clock.
Cross the street to walk along the left side of the square on Via San Clemente, leading into Piazza dei Frutti, the old fruit market. Diagonally across the square, the Palazzo Communali has a 13th century tower.
Palazzo della Ragione
Directly across the square is the back of the Palazzo della Ragione, Europe's largest Medieval hall. It was built in 1218 to be the city’s law courts. After a 1420 fire, the reconstructed walls were decorated in 333 fresco panels by Nicola Miretto, depicting mythology and the zodiac. Inside, be sure to see the large wooden horse made for a parade in 1466. The arcaded loggia was designed by Palladio in the 14th century.
Caffe Pedrocchi
Continue walking straight ahead, bearing left onto Via Gorizia. At its end, on the right, is Caffe Pedrocchi, an historic cafe that opened in 1831. Manin and other Risorgimento leaders plotted here to rid Italy of the Austrians, and it’s been a favorite meeting place for students and intellectuals ever since. Stop for espresso and ask to see the upstairs rooms, decorated in Egyptian, Roman, Renaissance and other themes.
University of Padua
Turn right onto Via VIII Febbraio, following it to the University of Padua, on the left. Italy's second oldest university, founded in 1222, it was the first in the world to award a degree to a woman, Elena Piscopia, in 1678. Don’t miss the Palazzo del'Bo, and the oval Anatomy Theatre built in 1594, the world’s first. The Auola Magna is a large baroque room where Galileo worked for 18 years, developing his law of accelerated motion and designing the first astronomical telescope lens.
The Duomo and Baptistery
At Via San Canziono and turn right, continuing into Piazza Erbe, bounded by the front of Palazzo della Ragione on the right. Go straight onto Via Manin, past arcaded storefronts to Via Monte de Pieta, turning left into Piazza Duomo. The Duomo and Baptistery are ahead on the right. The Baptistery, which was adapted from an earlier 4th-century church, is painted with a magnificent fresco cycle by Menabuoi depicting the creation, and scenes from Christ's life. The colors are so vivid, it’s hard to believe their age. Recross the piazza past the front of the arcaded Palazzo del Monte de Pieta and turn left onto Via Monte de Pieta, which leads back to your starting point in Piazza de Signori.
Other sights not in the center of the old town, but ones you’ll want to see in Padua, include Giotto’s magnificent frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel, the Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua, and the medical herb gardens.
Be sure to see walking tours of Milan and Verona in Southern Europe Travel, too.
