events, exhibitions, concerts and tradefairs, with new itineraries and pla-ces of historical-artistic and cultu-ral interest being proposed regu-

larly, such as the recent opening ofthe Pre-cinema Museum, the only one

of its kind in Italy, or the introductionof boat trips along the city

waterways with views of the citywalls and bastions. These innovations go hand inhand with traditions that have been repeateddaily for centuries, like the picturesque andlively markets, the ritual of an aperitif in the citycentre bars and cafés, and the careful restora-tion of places and customs. More of the samecan be found as soon as we leave Padua andpenetrate into the surrounding area. The entire

province is the repository of a vast, if often littleknown artistic, historical and natural heritage.There are also many carefully cherished oeno-gastronomic and craftsmanship traditions. Thegentle outlines of the Euganean Hills, now aRegional Park, have attracted man since anti-quity. Of volcanic origin, the Hills have a richflora with thousands of different species anddelightful scenery for all seasons. The fertile soiland sun-drenched slopes are ideal for the culti-vation of vineyards, olive groves and orchards,whose bountiful harvests yield the fruit fromwhich the best DOC wines, fine quality oils andsweet honey are made. The Hills are dotted withvillas, castles and abbeys. The oeno-gastronomicspecialities linked to the local produce can besampled in the many restaurants and trattorias.

Carraresi curtain walls that wind along 17 mhigh for almost 2 kilometres, reinforced by 24hexagonal towers, and the two bastions, theRocca degli Alberi and the Mastio di Ezzelinoare a fine spectacle. Montagnana is where anItalian delicacy is produced - the sweet curedham “Berico Euganeo”. Also intact is the forti-fied town wall of Cittadella, a lovely medievaltown with a distinctive elliptical town wall, lyingto the north of Padua. If much monumental evi-dence has been preserved from the middle ages,it is also because the local inhabitants are proudof their roots and traditions, as they demonstra-te annually in the evocative and fascinatinghistorical commemorations involving thousandsof people in period costume representing cross-sections of life in the Middle Ages.

The Renaissance and successive periods haveleft the splendid homes built for the Venetopatricians between the fifteenth and eighteenthcenturies and which together represent thestory of an era, that of the aptly named civilisa-tion of the Veneto Villas. Architects of the fameof Andrea Palladio, Vincenzo Scamozzi,Sansovino and Dario Varotari tried out theeffects that decorative plasterwork can createwhen designing the country mansions of themost powerful Veneto families of the time. Tocite just a few, there is the majestic VillaContarini in Piazzola sul Brenta, VillaCapodilista in Frassanelle, Villa Barbarigo inValsanzibio with its marvellous garden, VillaEmo in Rivella, Villa dei Vescovi in Luviglianoand the original Castle of Cataio.

of course, walking. To the south of the Hills arethe three impressive walled towns of Monselice,Este and Montagnana, striking monumentalexamples of the historical importance of thisarea. The mighty keep, ancient cathedral, castleand tower are just the more obvious signs of themedieval splendour of Monselice, which alsonumbers numerous villas and mansions. At Estethe evidence is found in the trapezoidal townwall and castle amphitheatre and the finesalons of the sixteenth century PalazzoMocenigo, which houses the Atestino NationalArchaeological Museum. The town is famousthroughout the world for the production of arti-stic ceramics, the traditions of which go back tothe ancient Paleo-Veneto peoples. Montagnanastill retains its medieval town walls intact: the

experience a newsense of well-being

The Hills are also the setting for theEuganean Spa towns of Abano andMontegrotto, in one of the most famous ther-mal areas in Europe that has taken care of itsguests for more than 2000 years by offering awide range of cures whose therapeutic valuecomes from the saline-bromine-iodic waterused particularly in the beneficial thermalmud therapy. Here the hotels offer their gue-sts ample specialised facilities for the classi-cal hot spring cures, true oases of wellbeingand harmony, places for rediscovering newpersonal enthusiasm, in which to regain confi-dence in your body and the energy coursingthrough it. The surrounding area has manyopportunities for practising different sports:tennis, golf, jogging, cycling, horse riding and

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PADUApaintings, which influenced generations ofartists and transformed the conventions ofItalian and European art. In the nearbyEremitani Museum many artefacts and valua-ble archaeological remains that testify to thehistorical importance of the city are preser-ved, as well as a very well stocked art gallerywith paintings from the fourteenth to nine-teenth centuries. Padua is not only a city ofart and culture but also a religious centre. TheSaint’s Basilica, repository of the mortalremains of St Anthony, has become a world

spiritual venue, with millions of pilgrims andvisitors annually. The strong spiritual presen-ce of St Anthony has been an inspiration togenerations of artists, and the basilica is areal treasure house of works of art from thethirteenth century to the present day. Of parti-cular importance are the main altar with itscrucifix, the statues and bronze reliefs byDonatello, the fourteenth century chapels fre-scoed by Giusto de’ Menabuoi, Altichiero daZevio and Jacopo Avanzo, and the imposingsixteenth and seventeenth century mauso-

leums. “St Anthony’s citadel” is completed bythe Oratory of St George, the walls of whichare covered with splendid frescoes byAltichiero da Zevio, the School of the Saint,with works by Titian and the AntonineMuseum, where valuable works of art andantique vestments from St Anthony’s Basilicaare displayed. Donatello’s masterpiece, theimposing bronze equestrian statue of“Gattamelata”, stands in the courtyard of theBasilica. A short distance away is the Basilicaof St. Giustina that, as well as the remains ofSt Giustina and St Luke the evangelist, preser-ves the Paleo-Christian (5th century AD) cha-pel of St Prosdocimo and dominates the spa-cious ellipse of Prato della Valle, the secondlargest piazza in Europe. Close by, almostsecluded, is an oasis of greenery, theBotanical Garden of the University of Padua,founded in 1545. Created as a “garden of sim-ples” to cultivate and study medicinal plants, acollection of both rare and exotic botanicalspecies has been gathered over the centuriesand the Garden also houses an importantlibrary and herbarium. In Padua culture isalive and well today, in a lively programme of

new emotions... Padua: discover

GIOTTOCulture, Hospitality and Wellbeing

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O Both culturally and economically, Padua is oneof the liveliest and most dynamic cities inNorthern Italy. It is a city of elegant and subtlecharm, with a unique historical and artisticheritage. The old city centre, protected by thecity walls and encircled by the gentle loop ofthe River Bacchiglione, has maintained itsmedieval plan with the quaint network of nar-row porticoed streets that open out onto broadspacious piazzas. The buildings that symbolisethe city are found here: the thirteenth centuryPalazzo della Ragione, with its Salone decora-

ted with an impressive cycle of frescoes on thetheme of astrology; the sixteenth centuryPalazzo Moroni, headquarters of the TownCouncil; the Pedrocchi Café, one of the bestknown establishments in Italy; Palazzo Bo,seat of the ancient and illustrious University ofPadua, where the oldest anatomy theatre inEurope, Galileo Galilei’s rostrum and the coatsof arms of past rectors, professors and stu-dents of the University can still be admired.The Palazzo della Ragione stands between theage-old Paduan Piazzas: Piazza delle Erbe andPiazza della Frutta, where the picturesquedaily markets have been held for more than800 years. Many characteristic shops andestablishments open onto the porticoed peri-meter of the Piazzas and continue on to therenaissance Piazza dei Signori, embellished bythe Palazzo del Capitanio and the Clock Tower,with the fascinating astronomical clock desi-gned in the mid-1300’s by the ingeniousGiovanni Dondi, ending at Piazza Duomo, withthe Diocese Museum, the sixteenth centuryCathedral and adjacent Baptistery, with itssplendid cycle of fourteenth century frescoesby Giusto de’ Menabuoi, a follower of Giotto.

History has left substantial traces but alsosmall but extremely precious “gems”, the mostimportant being the Scrovegni Chapel. Thissmall and unassuming building contains one ofthe absolute masterpieces of western figurati-ve art, the cycle of frescoes painted by Giottoat the beginning of the fourteenth centurydepicting scenes from the lives of the Virginand Christ and the Universal Judgement.The frescoes, following painstaking renovation,have been restored to their antique splendour,revealing the beauty and brilliance of Giotto’s

...Padua and its province arean ideal blend of tradition,history and culture, loveof the past and projectiontowards the future, which

can be discovered day-by-day in the different aspectsthat characterise it andmake it a dynamic, livelyand vibrant focal point.

Riviera dei Mugnai, 8 - 35137 PADOVATel.+39 049 8767911 - Fax +39 049 650794www.turismopadova.it e-mail: info@turismopadova.it

Riviera dei Mugnai, 8 - 35137 PADOVATel. +39 049 8766860 - Fax +39 049 8363316www.padovaincoming.com e-mail: giotto@padovaincoming.com

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Consorzio Terme EuganeeABANO E MONTEGROTTO

35031 ABANO TERME( PD) - Largo Marconi,8Tel. +39 049 8666609 - Fax +39 049 8666613www.abanomontegrotto.ite-mail: consorzio@abanomontegrotto.it

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TURISMO PADOVATERME EUGANEE

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Riviera dei Mugnai, 8 - 35137 PADOVATel.+39 049 8767911 - Fax +39 049 650794www.turismopadova.it e-mail: info@turismopadova.it

Riviera dei Mugnai, 8 - 35137 PADOVATel.+39 049 8767916-17 - Fax +39 049 650794www.padovaincoming.com e-mail: giotto@padovaincoming.com

Consorzio Terme EuganeeABANO E MONTEGROTTO

Largo Marconi, 8 - 35031 ABANO TERME - PDTel. +39 049 8666609 - Fax +39 049 8666613www.abanomontegrotto.it e-mail: consorzio@abanomontegrotto.it

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