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After visiting the attractions around the Arena Gardens, we started exploring the heart of Padua and the historic city center. We found a lot of beautiful buildings as well as some nice squares.
Piazza Garibaldi
We started by walking south to Piazza Garibaldi, which was once called Piazza dei Noli. In the past it was a transportation hub, but it has undergone several changes over the years. The piazza was renamed after Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807-1882) when he visited the city on March 6, 1867.
Church of Santa Lucia
After a couple blocks we passed the Church of Santa Lucia (Chiesa di Santa Lucia). It’s one of the city’s oldest churches, dating back to at least 964. The entire church was rebuilt with a design by Italian architect Gerolamo Frigimelica (1653-1732) between 1711 and 1730. Unfortunately it was closed when we walked by.
Palazzo Bo
Next, we visited Piazza Duomo, Piazza dei Signori, and the Palazzo della Ragione before moving on to the Palazzo Bo. This building has been the seat of the University of Padua (Università di Padova) since 1539, although the building has been in existence since at least 1364. The university was founded in 1222.
Inside the Palazzo Bo is the world’s first permanent anatomical theatre, which was in use from 1595 to 1872. Anatomical theatres were used as early as 1446. They were typically made of wood and dismantled after public dissections. There’s also the Aula Magna, which is the room in which Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) was allowed to teach. His podium is still located in the room.
Guided tours of are available daily except Sundays for €7 (as of August 2023). They last about 45 minutes. Check the official website for the most up-to-date info on tour times.
During our attempt to buy tour tickets, we were only able to see the newer part of Palazzo Bo constructed in 1932. The courtyard is entered through monumental bronze doors forged in 1922 from cannons captured during World War I. The names of students killed in the war are listed on the door.
After passing through the doors, we entered the Atrium of Heroes (Atrio degli Eroi). The stairs lead to the Rectorate, and the stairway contains frescoes by Gio Ponti (1891-1979) and Fulvio Pendini. A statue of Palinurus by Arturo Martini (1889-1947) sits at the foot of the stairway. The New Courtyard (Cortile Nuovo) is graced by a relief sculpted by Attilio Selva in 1939.
Palazzo Moretti-Scarpari
Across the street from Palazzo Bo is Palazzo Moretti-Scarpari, was built between 1919 and 1922. It’s part of the Padua City Hall complex (Palazzo Comunale), also known as the Palazzo Moroni, which is made up of a collection of municipal buildings.
Piazza Antenore
A block from Palazzo Bo is Piazza Antenore. In the center is the supposed tomb of Antenor, a counselor to King Priam of Troy. Tradition says that Antenor, a mythological figure, escaped Troy after the Trojan War and founded Padua around 1183 BC. The sarcophagus was discovered in 1274 and officials decided that the remains inside must belong to Antenor, although recent testing dates it to the 4th or 3rd century BC.
On the square is the Palazzo Romanin Jacur, which was built in the 15th century in the Venetian Gothic style. Although unlikely, a plaque on the building indicates Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) lived there in 1306. Another beautiful building sits next door.
Palazzo Zabarella
Finally, before walking down Via del Santo to Piazza del Santo, we admired the Palazzo Zabarella, which is characterized by its medieval tower. The Zabarello family built the palace in the 14th century and sold it in the 19th century. In the 20th century, it became a bank and later a private club. It was refurbished in 1996 and now houses the Bano Foundation (Fondazione Bano), an art gallery. Admission is €15 (as of August 2023) and it’s open daily except Mondays.
