P

adova.
Discover Padua and its surroundings.

Discover Padua and its province.

A land of History, Art, Spas and Nature.
Padua is one of the most charming and dynamic cities in Italy. The city centre boasts a wealth of fine medieval, renaissance and modern architecture; here a fascinating mix of historic and new, of centuries-old traditions combined with metropolitan rhythms creates a unique atmosphere. The medieval palaces, churches and cobbled streets emanate a sense of history and culture, the shops, markets and locals, a sparkling vitality and vibrant modern life.

Old map of Padua

The province of Padua has a vast cultural and artistic heritage and great natural assets. One has only to think of the Euganean Hills rich flora and history, of the countless villas and castles scattered all over the area, of the medieval walled towns, of the world famous Euganean spas, of the medieval monasteries and abbeys, of the old farm houses surrounded by wide expanses of fields, of the network of rivers, streams and canals leading to the Venetian lagoon, a portion of which belongs to the province of Padua.
Palazzo Bo, Old Courtyard Below, Prato della Valle and Basilica of St. Giustina

3000 years of history.

Antenor, from the midst of Grecian hosts, Could pass secure, and pierce th' Illyrian coasts, Where, rolling down the steep, Timavus raves And thro' nine channels disembogues his waves. At length he founded Padua's happy seat, And gave his Trojans a secure retreat; There fix'd their arms, and there renew'd their name, And there in quiet rules, and crown'd with fame. Virgil, Aeneid, I, 242-249
The Greek poet Virgil celebrates with these verses the legend that speaks of Antenor as the mythical founder of Padua. The historical Padua was actually founded over 3000 years ago, during the Paleoveneti age, when the old Veneti people were famous thanks to their excellent breed of horses. In the year 45 b.C. the town became a Roman Municipium. Thanks to thriving commerce, fruitful land and abundance of waterways, Patavium was one of the most important and powerful centres of the Roman Empire. During the Barbarian invasions the town was razed to the ground by command of Langobard king Agilulf (601 A.D.) It was only after the year 1000 that Padua registered an important growth in wealth and power, and new imposing religious and civil buildings, such as the Cathedral, the Commune Palaces, towers and defensive walls were built. The 13th and the 14th century marked a period of extraordinary economic and cultural liveliness and ardour, which left great evidences in town: the medioaeval walls, the foundation of the University, the Ragione Palace, the Basilica of st. Anthony and many others. The Trecento, historically characterized by the ruling of the Seigneury of the Da Carrara family, is considered Padua Golden Age: the art panorama was dominated by Giotto and his followers and the city was the most important centre of artistic production in medieval Europe. In 1405 the Da Carrara Seigneury terminated and Padua passed under

Venetian rule. Venice fortified Padua with new walls, increased the power of the University, and the venetian nobility invested their capitals on the paduan land, where beautiful villas were erected. The decadence of the Serenissima (1797) and the upcoming of the Napoleonic imperialism put an end to one of the most extraordinary historical, artistical and cultural ages of Europe. The French and the Austrian dominations, and the two World Wars produced a long period of economic and cultural standstill, from which Padua, as the rest of Veneto, recovered with a new and reinforced conscioussness starting from the second half of the 20th century. Today Padua is one of the main economic centres of Veneto and of Italy, an important motorway, railway and waterway junction, which connects Italy with the rest of Europe, and last but not least a beautiful city of art and culture.

Piazza delle Erbe

The classic itinerary.

Over three thousand years of history have left a wealth of historical buildings and places. Combining the old and the modern, great art and beautiful artifacts, the city centre is full of surprises. The classic itinerary touches three areas, which enclose the symbols of Padua history.

The medieval heart.

The historic centre of Padua is dominated by the imposing Palazzo della Ragione, which was built in the year 1218 to host the court of justice on the upper floor, and various shops on the ground floor. The vast hall, called il Salone (the great Hall), is one of the largest medieval hanging halls of the world and its walls are covered by 15th c. paintings depicting the zodiac and the astrological theories of Pietro dAbano, one of the greatest medieval scientists. The three squares surrounding the palace - Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza della Frutta and Piazza dei Signori - are the site of Paduas daily market, which has been taking place here for more than 800 years. The squares are lined by bars, restaurants, shops and historical buildings. Piazza dei Signori is a gentle Renaissance square closed westwards by the white faade of the Capitanio Palace and the beautiful Clock Tower. Closeby is Paduas Cathedral, a 16th century building which keeps one of the delights of the town: a Romanesque baptistery with 14th century frescoes by Giusto de Menabuoi. The adjacent Bishop Palace Museum displays precious works of art, including paintings, manuscripts, jewellery, sculptures, and allows visitors to admire the magnificent Bishops Hall. From here, following the suggestive narrow streets of the old ghetto, the itinerary leads back to the area of the City Hall (16th c.). The palace faces Palazzo Bo, the historical seat of Padua University, and is closed northwards by the Caff Pedrocchi (1831), one of the most famous historical cafs in Italy and prestigious venue for cultural events.

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The Museum Complex around the Roman Arena.
Around the Roman Arena (1st c. AD) and the adjacent Eremitani Square is a concentrated true museum complex. The most outstanding monument is the Scrovegni Chapel, which was magnificently decorated by Giotto at the beginning of the 14th century, and is universally considered one of the greatest art masterpieces of all time. In the nearby Eremitani Museum the history of Padua is narrated through pre-Roman, Roman and Etruscan archaeological findings and rich art collections, which are housed in the peaceful rooms and cloisters of the former Hermits monastery. The adjacent Eremitani Church keeps 14th century frescoes and the famous remains of the Ovetari Chapel decorated by Mantegnas frescoes. The museum complex is completed by the Museum of Applied and Decorative Arts and the Bottacin Collection at Palazzo Zuckermann and the University Scientific Museums, which are housed inside Palazzo Cavalli.

1 Scrovegni Chapel 2 Caff Pedrocchi 3 Basilica of St. Giustina, Madonna and Child

Basilica of St. Anthony and Prato della Valle.

The third great monumental area develops around St. Anthonys Basilica, locally simply called Il Santo, which holds the mortal remains of Saint Anthony. The great sanctuary, a real shrine of art and devotion, is surrounded by an impressive number of monuments: the equestrian statue of Gattamelata by Donatello, St. Georges Oratory, the Scuola del Santo with Titian frescoes, the Antonian Museum and the Renaissance complex of Loggia and Odeo Cornaro. A short distance away you can visit the University Botanical Garden, one of oldest in the world. A little to the south sprawls the Prato della Valle, one of the largest town squares in Europe, surrounded by the waters of the Alicorno canal and decorated by a double order

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of statues. The square is lined by ancient palaces and churches. On the northern side is Palazzo Angeli which hosts the delightful Museum of the Magic Lantern and Pre Cinema. On the opposite side is the 16th century Basilica di Santa Giustina, which keeps the mortal remains of saints and martyrs of Christianity: St. Giustina, one of the first Christian martyrs, St. Luke the Evangelist, St. Mattia, and many others.
4 Donatellos monument to Gattamelata 5 View of Padua, the domes of the Basilica of St. Anthony 6 Prato della Valle, antiques market 7 Basilica of St. Anthony, Donatellos altar Below, view of Padua, Palazzo della Ragione

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Padua: City of frescoes.

Padua keeps kilometres of frescoed walls, where light and colour give life to extraordinary illustrated stories. It was Giotto, in the first years of the Trecento, to give impulse to fresco decoration, narrative painting and monumental cycles. Throughout the century all the most important monuments of the town were decorated with beautiful cycles of frescoes so vast and so numerous as to be found in only very few other Italian centres. The cycle inside the Scrovegni Chapel (1303-1305) is considered the greatest masterpiece of forteenth century Italian and European painting.

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1 Basilica of St. Anthony, Altichiero da Zevios frescoes (detail) 2 Scrovegni Chapel, Giottos frescoes; Presentation of Mary in the Temple 3 Scrovegni Chapel 4 Scrovegni Chapel, Meeting of St Anne and Joachim 5 Diocesan Museum and Bishops Palace, The Bishops Hall

Under a blue, starry heaven, panel after panel, it illustrates the life of Mary, the life of Jesus and the story of the Passion to end with the imposing vision of the Last Judgement. The lesson of the Tuscan master was taken over by the most eminent painters working in town in the second half of the 14th century, Guariento, Jacopo Avanzi, Altichiero da Zevio, Giusto de Menabuoi and Jacopo da Verona, who developed and reinterpreted Giottos style and tecnique. Their style and skill can be admired in all the most important civil and religious monuments of Padua: fourteenth-century frescoes are in the Basilica of St. Anthony, in the Eremitani Church, in the Baptistery of the Cathedral, in St Georges Oratory and in St. Micheles Oratory and in the Accademia Galileiana (former Carraresi Chapel). The walls of the vast main Hall of the Palazzo della Ragione (mt.81x27) are entirely covered with a superb astrological cycle. And so is the enchanting Bishops Hall in the Bishop Palace, which is adorned by the portraits of hundreds of Paduan bishops.

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6 Padua Cathedrals Baptistery, Giusto de Menabuois frescoes 7 Scuola del Santo, Titian, The jealous husband stabs his wife 8 Basilica of St. Anthony, Giusto de Menabuois frescoes (detail) 9 Palazzo della Ragione, the Salone (detail)

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Mantegnas frescoes, even though badly damaged during World War II can be admired in the Ovetari chapel inside the Eremitani Church. Colourful sixteeenthcentury frescoes decorate various oratories, churches and palaces: discover Titians frescoes in the Scuola del Santo, Dario Varotaris cycle in the Scuola della Carit, 16th century frescoes by Girolamo del Santo, Domenico Campagnola and Stefano dallArzere in the Scoletta del Carmine and in St. Roccos Oratory, and the forty-four heroes adorning the Giants Hall.

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Padua: City of science and culture.

of arms, the statue of Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia, the worlds first female graduate (1678). The Botanic Garden is another scientific treasure. It was founded in 1545 by Padua University for the study of the simples, i.e. medical plants. It is the oldest university botanical garden in the world, which has never moved from its original settlement. It keeps about 6000 plants: exotic, medicinal, poisonous and insectivorous.

Padua is the ideal place to trace the history of mans progress and achievements in the field of science, technique and creativity. In its ancient and glorious University fundamental contributions to the progress of science and technology have been made thanks to the presence of enlightened and ingenious personalities. The University of Padua, which was established in 1222, is one of the oldest in the world (the second in Italy after Bologna University) and keeps several places of great historical value: the anatomy theatre (1594), which is the oldest in the world, the 14th century Medicine room, Galileis chair, the Aula Magna and the 16th century old cloister, both decorated by students and professors coats

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1 Padua University, Palazzo Bo, Aula Magna 2 Museum of the Pre-Cinema Minici Zotti Collection 3 Padua University, Palazzo Bo, Anatomy Theatre

The oldest tree here is a Palm planted in 1585 and known as Goethes palm, having supposedly played a role in the German writers work on the Metamorphosis of the plants. Since 1997 the garden is part of the Unesco World Cultural Heritage. Another scientific monument belonging to Padua University is the astronomic observatory, called La Specola. It was built in the 18th century on a tower belonging to Padua medieval castle to test the astronomic theories elaborated at the University. Today it houses the University Astronomy Department and a museum, where various scientific instruments coming from different countries are displayed. Many other University museums reveal the continuing influence of this ancient institution on world art and culture: the Geological and Paleonthological Museum, the Museum of Phisycs, the Museum of Mineralogy, and many other institutes of research and scientific studies.

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By the year 2006 a new museum dedicated to the History of Medicine and Health will be inaugurated inside the 15th-century complex of St. Francescos Hospital.

4 Astronomic Observatory, La Specola Museum 5 Padua University, Palazzo Bo, Sala dei Quaranta and Galileis chair 6 Padua Botanic Garden

Padua: a dynamic city.

Vital, creative and dynamic: the spirit of Padua combines ancient charm, millennary traditions and the vibrant rhythms and vitality of the modern metropolis. The city centre has been transformed into a wide pedestrian oasis, where streets and picturesque squares are lined with historical monuments, street cafs and historical coffee-houses, music bars and venues, bookshops, high-fashion boutiques, antiques and modern handicraft shops, galleries, classy restaurants. Historical buildings merge with daring contemporary architecture, such as Daniel Libeskinds memorial Memory and light. The brilliant American architect of Polish origins, winner of the competition for the reconstruction of Ground Zero in New York, has left in Padua an uplifting memorial, which contains a dramatic beam salvaged from the World Trade Centre attack, given to the city of Padua by the USA Department of State in memory of the victims of the attack to the Twin Towers. The so called Antico Ghetto with its suggestive narrow streets lined with porticoed medieval palaces and prestigious buildings has been recently transformed into a trendy borough which encloses innovative shops and locals, refined restaurants and old osterias. The medieval squares Piazza delle Erbe, della Frutta and dei Signori - are the seat of the daily market and have been representing one of the most beloved meeting points of the Paduans for the last 800 years.

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1 Palazzo della Ragione, Loggia (detail) 2 Old Ghetto 3 Palazzo Moroni (City Hall) and Caff Pedrocchi

On Summer nights the colourful tables and chair of bars and cafs cover these squares, and open air music gently accompany the servings of food and drinks. The short and narrow via St. Fermo and the nearby Galleria Borromeo and Piazza Insurrezione is an unrivalled designer shopping borough, where you will find all the most famous Italian and foreign fashion designers. Along the streets leading from the University to the Basilica of St. Anthony you will find lots of ancient and modern bookshops, food and drink specialities. Imposing medieval and Renaissance buildings face the old streets, such as Palazzo Zabarella, one of the most culturally vital and prestigious venues of the city. Piazza del Santo and the surrounding streets are the ideal area to find a typical souvenir and take a picture of some of the symbols of the city: the huge Basilica, Donatellos equestrian statue, Prato della Valle, the Botanic Garden or the Museum of the Pre-Cinema, unique in its genre in Italy. After having wandered through monuments, attractions and shops take a break and relax at one of the numerous restaurants or trattorias. Nowadays you can find an exciting variety of flavours and dishes in every Padua high street. Almost all restaurants serve food based on traditional Paduan or Venetian recipes but with a modern and international twist. Ethnic-cuisine lovers will be spoilt for choice as the city offers good quality foreign cuisine from Mexican to Japanese, from Indian to Persian, to name but a few. Cultural life is very vital, too. This is refelected in the rich events calendar and in the wide range of art venues, galleries, exhibition halls and high quality collections.

Special events, celebrations of culture and festivals run periodically throughout the year. Open air performances take place in summer in all major parks and squares of the city. In the last years the Paduans have re-discovered the importance of the waterways which surround the city, and recently there has been an increasing development of boat tours. From March to October sightseeing boat tours offer cruises and journeys, which give the possibility to enjoy the view of the old walls and of peculiar spots of the city at the leisurely pace of river and canal boats. Thanks to the presence of Padova Fiere (Padua Trade Exhibition Centre) and of the University the congressual activity is very vital too.

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Padua is an excellent business destination as the congress system offers the diverse range of meeting venues to ensure success. Good infrastructures, locations and multifunctional spaces, from stately homes to the most modern congress halls: Padua has the right meeting-place for any event. Culture, art, science, entertainment, shopping, good cuisine, nightlife: whether you are wishing to stay one day or for a longer holiday Padua will surprise you with its oustanding variety of attractions.

4 Piazza delle Erbe, market 5 Prato della Valle

6 Memorial Memory and Light, D. Libeskind

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A land of faith.

1 Basilica of St. Giustina 2 Basilica of St. Anthony 3 Basilica of St. Giustina, MartyrsCorridor 4 Duomo (Cathedral) and Baptistery 5 St. Nicols Church 6 Eremitani Church, B. Ammannati, Tomb of M. M. Benavides 7 Eremitani City Museum, Guariento, Angels

Religious heritage.
The early and wide diffusion of Christianity in the Paduan territory is testified by the outstanding religious heritage, which graces Padua and its province. A strong faith combined with a great artistic fervour have left a great number of sacred places and monuments all over the territory, real and true shrines of faith and art. Following the tradition the Basilica of St. Giustina was built on the place where, Giustina, one of the first martyrs of Christianity, was buried around the year 304. The huge 16th century Basilica -the ninth largest Christian church in the world-, contains elements of an older church (12-13th c.), the martyrswell, with bones of varius martyrs, the Sacellum of San Prosdocimo, which dates back to the 6th century, thus representing one of the earliest places of worship in town. The adjacent Benedictine monastery with frescoed cloisters has a rich library and a famous restoration book centre.

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Just few meters from the Basilica of St. Giustina is the Basilica of St. Anthony, one of the major places of Christian worship in the world, with about 5 million pilgrims visiting it every year. An architectural masterpiece of the 13th to 14th centuries, the Basilica also presents a unique pageant of Paduan past history the shrine of St. Anthony, the tombs and memorials of famous people,

was commissioned by Fina Buzzaccarini, wife of the most eminent 14th c. lord of Padua, Francesco il Vecchio da Carrara: the hundreds of saints portraied on the dome watched over Fina and Francescos tomb, once placed exactly at the centre of the baptistery. Many other churches, even though often less well-known, keep unexpected treasures: the Eremitani Church has fine 14th century frescoes and the famous Mantegnas cycle in the Ovetari chapel, which was badly damaged during WW2; in the Scoletta of the Basilica del Carmine you can admire a colourful 16th century fresco cycle; the church of St. Sofia is one of the most ancient religious buildings of the town with great medieval architecture

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and works of art realised between the 14th and the 20th century, the most famous of which are the beautiful 14th century frescoes, the Renaissance marble bas-reliefs, and Donatellos bronze statues and reliefs on the main altar. The complex of the Basilica comprises four cloisters, the Antoniano Museum, St. George Oratory, which is decorated by an enchanting 14th c. fresco cycle, and the Scuola del Santo, adorned by various frescoes, three of which by Titian. A ten-minute walk leads to the Sanctuary of St. Leopoldo Mandic, which keeps the remains and the confessional cell of the beloved Dalmatian saint. The historical part of the city centre corresponds also to the heart of Christian Padua. In Piazza Duomo stands the sixteenth-century Cathedral. Its Baptistery represents one of the landmarks of Padua history. The oldest part of the building dates back to the 12th century; inside, it is lined with beautiful fourteenth-century frescoes by Giusto de Menabuoi, a follower of Giottos. The breathtaking representation of the Paradise on the dome
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outside and a very spiritual atmosphere inside; in the church of St. Francesco 15th century frescoes and a Renaissance bronze funeral monument are kept; the little Romanesque church of St. Nicol stands in one of the most lovely corners of the town and keeps works by Jacopo da Montagnana, Stefano dallArzere and Giandomenico Tiepolo. Few people know that the 18th century composer Giuseppe Tartini, who wrote the opera Il trillo del diavolo (Devils Trill Sonata) is buried in the small church of St. Caterina; an unexpected surprise awaits the visitor of the church of St. Massimo: three beautiful paintings by Giovan Battista Tiepolo (17th c.), the painter who decorated many Italian villas, and painted the ceiling frescoes in the palace of the Archbishop at Wrzburg and the palace of Charles III of Spain in Madrid. More recent masterpieces are the church of St. Gaetano built on a plan of Vincenzo Scamozzi (16th c.) and the church of Santa Maria del Pianto, called Chiesa del Torresino, for the central embattled tower. Another ancient church is the Oratory of St. Michele in Pozzoveggiani, which is the result of the juxtaposition of a Romanesque building on an early-medieval one. The church of St. Anthony at Arcella is the place where the saint died in 1231.
1 Monteortone of Abano Terme, Madonna della Salute Sanctuary 2 Padua, St. Micheles Church at Pozzoveggiani Below, Praglia Abbey

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The province of Padua is rich in religious buildings and monuments too. The coenobia of the monastic orders have been peaceful retreats for scholars, chief centres of Christian piety and learning for centuries. A visit to these religious sites is a great experience for those who enjoy the sense of somewhere different, very spiritual and peaceful. Embedded in the greenery of the Euganean Hills, the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria di Praglia is one of the oldest monasteries of the region. It was founded in the 11thcentury but almost entirely rebuilt in the 15th century, when the abbey became one of the main centres for land reclamation and conversion into farmland of the whole Paduan territory. The wide complex includes a fine Renaissance church (1448) with frescoes and paintings of Venetian school, and a crucifix attributed to the followers of Giottos, the medieval monastery with ancient refectory and guest house, cloisters, the Old Library, and finally the worldwide famous book restoration centre. Nestled on the top of the hill, the Monastery of Monte Rua, is still a Camaldolite hermitage.

Even though visitors are not allowed in the monastery, from the spot where it rises one can enjoy a beautiful view on the surrounding hills. The Abbey of Santa Maria di Carceri near Este is an ancient former monastery (12th century), which was partially converted into private mansion by the Carminati noble family at the end of the 17th century. The huge complex includes church and abbey, cloisters, guest-rooms, and a library with fine frescoes. Not far from Carceri, in Urbana, stands the former monastery of San Salvaro with its ancient church dating back to the 11th c. adorned by frescoes (14th c.) and a collection of old maps, papers and finds, which document the history of this part of the paduan territory.

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In Este a church dedicated to the Madonna delle Grazie (our Lady of the Graces) keeps a venerated Byzantine Madonna on wood realized in the 15th century. Another sanctuary dedicated to St. Mary is in Ospedaletto Euganeo. The so called Santuario del Tresto was erected in 1468 in order to host a miraculous image of the Virgin, who had appeared to a boatman. In Piove di Sacco, the most important centre of the south-eastern part of the province, two important religious monuments are to be visited: the Cathedral, dedicated to St. Martin and the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie (our Lady of the Graces), built in 1484 to hold an effigy of Mary, which the people believed to be miraculous. In the north of the province, in Camposampiero, stands the Santuario del Noce (Walnut-tree Sanctuary), dedicated to the most beloved saint of Padua and its province, St. Anthony. As the legend goes, this small church was built precisely on the spot where St. Anthony delivered a memorable sermon while standing at the top of a walnut-tree.

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An important example of the romanic style of North-East Italy is the church of St. Stefano at Due Carrare. Once part of an important abbey, the church survived the terrible earthquake of the year 1117, which destroyed almost all the main buildings which had been built up to that year. St. Stefanos Church still keeps its original medieval structure and belltower, fine 11th century and 14th century mosaics and the tomb of Marsilio da Carrara, prince of Padua at the beginning of the 14th century. Many churches and sanctuaries are dedicated to the Virgin Mary and they often rise where a miraculous event took place. The Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Monteortone in Abano Terme began its history in 1428 when a soldier, a certain Pietro Falco, bathing himself in the grotto at the side of the present church to heal himself of the plague, obtained a cure and, following a divine command, exctracted from the healing water a panel representing the Madonna, which is still displayed on the altar of the apse. On the Monte della Madonna (Teolo) is the fifteenth-century Sanctuary of the Madonna, with small Benedictine monastery and beautiful view on the surrounding landscape.

3 Torreglia, Hermitage on the Mount Rua 4 Camposampiero, Sanctuary of the Wallnut-tree 5 Piove di Sacco, Madonna delle Grazie Sanctuary, Giovanni Bellinis Madonna with Child Below, Carceri Abbey

A province of waters.
The first settlement of Padua arose around the 12th century B.C. inside a wide bend of the river Medoacus, the actual river Brenta. Since then the history of Padua has been marked by waters. Already in the 1st century A.D. the famous Roman historian, Titus Livius (or Livy), author of one of the more veritable versions of the history of the Roman Republic, narrated of the incredible skill of the Paduans in navigation, when in the year 302 B.C. they defeated the fleet of the Spartan King Cleonimus. During the Roman age Patavium was one of the most thriving commerce centres of the Roman Empire.

The great Greek historian and geographer Strabon wrote that Patavium was the most important town of the region and ancient chronicles report of the great number of wares that left its harbour towards Rome thus proving the presence of a flourishing and dynamic people and economy. The city thrived until the barbarian onslaughts and the subsequent Langobard invasion, which took place from the fourth to the seventh century. Recovery was slow and Paduas great canal network played again a fundamental role, as it had an ever increasing strategic importance in the fights for the territorial supremacy. First during the Commune government and then during the Da Carrara Seigneury and the Venetian domination the excavations realized to control and exploit the waters led to the creation of a dense network of navigable canals, real and true water motorways. This network connected Padua with the surrounding territory and with all the most important towns of the Veneto region. During the four centuries of the Venetian domination waterways were used to transport an impressive quantity of wares and goods from the paduan territory to Venice and Venetian noblemen could easily navigate them to reach

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Paduan waterways Canale Battaglia riverbank Onara Marsh Canoeing on the Bacchiglione River Padua, view of the waterway which flows around the ancient walls 8 Riviera del Brenta, tourist navigation in front of Villa Giovannelli at Noventa Padovana 9 Padua, Ognissanti Gate 10 Battaglia Terme, Museum of River Navigation

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the Euganean Hills and the paduan countryside, where they erected their magnificent villas. Until the middle of the 20th century Paduan waterways were sailed by all sort of boats: rafts, peote, burci, gondole, sandoli, padovane and burchielli, and were populated by fix and floating watermills. The Bacchiglione river, which in the past connected Vicenza with Padua, represents still today the primary water source for the city: its waters enter in Padua from the South and flow along the Renaissance walls to the Ezzelino Castle. Here the Bacchiglione bifurcates: the link wing, called Tronco Maestro, flows

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The burci (or burchi), i.e. the typical Venetian barges, could easily moor anywhere along the river banks. In the Divine Comedy Dante reports that As sometimes wherries lie upon the shore, That part are in the water, part on land... (Hell, canto XVII, vv. 19-20).

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downwards along the medieval walls to the old Carmine Basilica; the right wing, called Naviglio Interno, follows the internal side of the walls, flows through the city centre to the Porte Contarine, after which the Tronco Maestro and the Naviglio interno flow together and form the Piovego canal. In the last years a great programme of waterways recovering and restoring has given impulse to the tourist navigation along Paduan canals and rivers.

The itineraries include the navigation along the internal canals with beautiful views on the walls, the Brenta River and its imposing villas, the Euganea Riviera with its enchanting vegetation and historical sites, the way to the Venetian Lagoon. The story of river navigation and the life of the barcari (boatmen) are widely narrated in the Museum of River Navigation in Battaglia Terme, which displays about four thousand pieces (boats, equipment, historic photos, old maps, books and documents) housed in an historical little palace built in beautiful position at the confluence of two canals.

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Terme Euganee, over 2000 years of health and well-being.

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The healing virtues of the Terme Euganee waters were already appreciated by the Euganean people, who over 2000 years ago had a sacred lake here for the veneration of the God Aponus, the god of thermal waters. During the Roman age (1st-2nd c. A.D.), the Fons Aponi (Aponusspring) became very important and famous. The spas were attended both for healing and religious reasons: the legend says that one of the roman Emperors went to the Fons Aponi to have the response of the Gerione oracle, a mysterious god who said the future through the hot waters. The imperial palace, a partly-covered amphitheatre also used for shows on water, patrician villas and residences, places of cult, reflection walks, and rich thermal baths: this is how the Fons Aponi appeared in Roman times. The growing interest in the spas led the Da Carrara family, rulers of Padua in the 14th c.,
1 Abano Terme, monumental gateway to the Montirone 2 Montegrotto Terme, Villa Draghi On the left, Terme Euganee, Mud therapy 3 Thermal pool 4 Montegrotto Terme, International Artistic Glass and Spa Museum. 5 Golf on the Euganean Hills

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Surrounded by the relaxing greenery of the Euganean Hills, the Euganean Spas (Terme Euganee), with the two main centres of Abano and Montegrotto and the smaller ones of Galzignano, Battaglia and Monteortone of Teolo, are famous worldwide for the mud and spa treatments. They are the ideal site for a healing, uplifting and fun spa holiday. The secret is in the spa water, which falls into the category of deep underground waters. They are of meteroic origin and derive from the uncontaminated basins of the Lessini Mountains in the foothills of the Alps, passing through calcareous rocks and into the subsoil at a depth of approximately 80 kilometer route that takes an average of 25/30 years. During this time they take on mineral sals and finally reach the Euganean Spas where they spring forth at a temperature of 87C. The abundance of the dissolved substances make this water a unique thermal resource, one of its kind in the world. From the chemical point of view these waters are classified as hyperthermal sodiobromidiodic waters.

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Montegrotto Terme, Butterfly Arc

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to promote a deep survey of the waters. The survey was led by the University of Padua and it continues still today thanks to the studies of the Centro Studi Termali Veneto Pietro DAbano (Spa Study Centre). Through in-depth study of the primary components of the thermal resources water, algae, muds- the Study Centre performs systematic research into the thermal medicine and constantly monitors the effects of fangotherapy in order to guarantee the utmost quality. The spa hotels are specialized in the various spa treatments: fangotherapy, balneotherapy, hydrokinetic therapy and inhalation therapy. Besides the astonishing abilities to aid and restore, the thermal waters are also used in beauty treatments. Thanks to the modern, accomodating bath establishments, you can regain your vigour, relax and achieve that lost sense of well-being. After the spa treatments a wide range of sports and outdoor activities can be practised in the area. The Euganean Hills, which surround the spas, are most inviting for those who wish to keep in shape or enjoy sports. In fact, this context, which mixes modern facilities and beautiful natural environment, lends itself to numerous activities,

such as golf, horse riding, cycling, rock-climbing, jogging or simply walking along the paths of the hills. The historical and artistical heritage is vast, too. Among the hills you will find historical monuments, villas, castles, museums, ancient abbeys and monasteries. And last but not the least, you will be surprised

to discover the excellent local cuisine, which combines wholesome food and genuine wines. Here nature has helped create the special flavours of the traditional dishes, offering, especially in Spring and in Autumn, numerous varieties of wild herbs, mushrooms, produce of the undergrowth and vegetables to be used in risottos, omelettes and other specialties.

Villas and Castles.

Imposing strongholds and beautiful villas surrounded by luxuriant gardens are scattered throughout the Paduan province. These grand buildings along with their historical gardens witness the age-long strategic importance of this territory and its cultural and economic vitality. One of the most interesting itineraries among medieval towns and castles develops in the south western part of the province. Three imposing castles rise at a short distance one from the other. The 14th c. castle of St. Pelagio was converted into private mansion house by the Zaborra family in the 18th c. After one of the greatest fly actions of the past century, i.e. Italian poet Gabriele DAnnunzios flight to Vienna, took place here in 1918, architect Avesani arranged the interior of the castle into an interesting air museum, which illustrates the history of flight. The castle is surrounded by extensive parkland. The Catajo castle in Battaglia Terme is actually a mansion house. It was erected in the 16th c. with the imposing appearance of a castle by Pio Enea I degli Obizzi, who was famous for his military skill and for having invented the howitzer. This huge property keeps beautiful frescoes and is enhanced by a wide park with architectonical decorations. The wide halls of the medieval Monselice castle superbly exemplifies the tranformation which defensive buildings underwent during the Renaissance age, when the military function ceased and castles and strongholds were converted into luxury private dwellings. The wide complex includes medieval rooms, beautiful halls with original 14th c. fireplaces later parts added or enlarged in the 16th -17th c. And important collection of old arms and armours, which are still on display. On the Euganean Hills still rise two of the most ancient castles of the Paduan Province. The ancient St. Martino della Vaneza castle (11th c.) in Cervarese

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St. Croce has a distinct sense of history and a picturesque rural setting along the banks of the Bacchiglione river. It contains a museum dedicated to the river Bacchiglione. Set in peacefully surroundings at the foot of the Lozzo hill, Valbona Castle is a very well preserved 13th c. building and one of the most interesting examples of medieval military fortification. The castle boasts a reastaurant and a photographic display about the Paduan castles. Venetian villas are amongst the most precious gems of the Paduan territory. Enhanced by wide gardens or age-old parks, these magnificent dwellings were realised between the 15th and the 18th c. to satisfy the agricultural and recreational needs of their noble owners. Villa Contarini majestically dominates the town of Piazzola sul Brenta. Its scenographic mass comprises a 16th c. central body with the famous Sala della Chitarra Rovesciata (Hall of the upside-down guitar), long monumental 17th c. barchesse (lean-to), wide semicircular arcades, and 50 hectares of parkland

1 Battaglia Terme, Catajo Castle 2 Monselice Castle, hall with typical carrarese fireplace 3 Lozzo Atestino, Valbona Castle 4 Due Carrare, St. Pelagio Castle, Hot-air balloons Hall

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with fish ponds, lakes and tree-lined avenues. Not far away from Villa Contarini, in Piombino Dese, is Villa Cornaro (1551-52), a masterpiece by Andrea Palladio. It is a monumental house with loggias and a central hall adorned with white statues and columns. In the same town stands Villa Marcello, a sixteenth-century building with wide barchesse, garden and beautiful halls decorated by frescoes, which depict episodes from the life of Charles the Great and of the Olympian Gods. A great number of villas crowd into the green landscape of the Euganean Hills. Nestled at the top of a gentle hill, the elegant Villa Emo Capodilista, in Selvazzano represents one of the most original 16th c. villas

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surrounds the beautiful Villa Selvatico-Sartori lying in enchanting position at the top of St. Elena Hill. Its scenographic park was designed by architect Giuseppe Jappelli. An imposing staircase leads to the villa, the halls of which are decorated by 17th c. frescoes. Many other mansions are scattered throughout the area which includes the medieval walled towns of Monselice, Este, and Montagnana, which was one of the favourite inspiring lands for generations of artists, poets and writers. The whole area can be the ideal destination to discover the places of importance to the many artists, writers and craftsmen who have drawn inspiration from the hills, among them troubadoric poets, Petrarch, Byron, Shelley, Foscolo, Fogazzaro and Bruce Chatwin. Fine villas adorn the rural landscape of the Saccisica region. In Bagnoli di Sopra Villa Widmann was particularly famous in the 18th-century when Venetian playwright Carlo Goldoni played in the private theatre of the mansion. Today the noble dwelling, which is surrounded by wide park with numerous statues, houses a famous wine-cellar and the Stradon del Vin Friularo Association. A few kilometres farther on is another beautiful mansion, Villa Garzoni Carraretto, which was built on a plan by Sansovino (1537-40). Another fine country mansion is Villa Roberti in Brugine. The wide halls are decorated by sixteenth-century Frescoes attributed to Paolo Veronese. The wide park which surrounds the villa hosts the monthly antiques market.

of the Veneto region. In Luvigliano, one of the preferred destination of wines lovers, lies Villa dei Vescovi, a 16th c. villa planned by Falconetto. With its open loggias and multicoloured external walls it represents one of the first examples of the characteristic venetian pictorial architectures, which started developping in that period. The house of the great Italian poet Francesco Petrarca (14th c.) in Arqu Petrarca, retains original ceilings and furniture. From the balcony you can still enjoy the superb view on the hills, which enchanted the poet and inspired him some of his verses and letters. A fairy-tale atmosphere
5 Piombino Dese, Villa Cornaro 6 Arqu Petrarca, Petrarchs House Below, Piazzola sul Brenta, Villa Contarini

Historical gardens and parks.

water games, loggias. A famous labyrinth enhances the property. The sheer variety and abundance of flowers and shrubs is one of the most amazing characteristics of the garden of Villa Emo in Rivella di Monselice. During the Spring and the early Summer the garden is at its best with fruit trees in blossom, borders and lawns are studded with masses of narcissi, roses reflect their colourful shapes in the water below, masses of brilliant day lilies create extraordinary borders. An 8 ha. park surrounds Villa Miari de Cumani in St. Elena dEste. The mansion, characterized by embattled towers and walls, is part of a wide complex which includes rural houses, greenhouse, the beautiful romantic park partially created by the Venetian architect Giuseppe Jappelli (19th c.) and concluded by Osvaldo Paoletti in 1870 with a lake and grotto.

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The mild climate of the region and the skill of passionate gardeners and garden designers have left in the area a host of glorious gardens and centuries old parks. The garden of Villa Barbarigo in Valsanzibio ranges among the most important in Europe. It was re-designed on a grand scale around the middle Seventeenth century by the venetian aristocrat Giovan Francesco Barbarigo. Plenty of water enlivens an extraordinary universe of fountains, cascades, fishponds and brooks. Classical and romantic elements combine harmoniously and constitute a precious patrimony of statues, architectonical decorations,

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The luxuriant park, which surrounds Villa Pisani Scalabrin in Vescovana, comprises an Italian-style garden and romantic English-style park with chapel, theatre, barchesse, rural buildings, statues and an 18th c. neo-gothic little temple. The park was celebrated by English writer Margaret Symonds in her book Days spent on a Doges farm. Imposing plane-trees and centuries old oaks crowd the Frassanelle Park, which mixes English style garden

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6 Noventa Padovana, Villa Valmarana 7 Noventa Padovana, Villa Giovannelli 8 Vescovana, Villa Pisani Scalabrin Park 9 Rivella di Monselice, Villa Emo 10 Battaglia Terme, Villa Selvatico Sartori

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features and romantic park elements. Its artificial grottos are quite suggestive. The famous Riviera del Brenta with its beautiful villas starts at Noventa Padovana. In this small town rise some of the most beautiful villas of the area: Villa Giovanelli with its imposing faade was erected in 1670 in palladian style; Villa Grimani Valmarana was built in the 15th c. on the ruins of an ancient castle and keeps 18th c. frescoes; Villa Giustiniani, a wide rural complex built at the end of the 16th c. and restored in the 18th c. The riviera del Brenta continues following the course of the river from Stra to Venice. A charming trip among villas and gardens, a superb tour which enchanted poets and travellers, such as Lord Byron and Goethe, the Italian poet Gabriele D'Annunzio, the scientist Galileo Galilei, the playwright Carlo Goldoni.

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Bagnoli di Sopra, Villa Widmann Valsanzibio di Galzignano Terme, Villa Barbarigo St. Elena dEste, Villa Miari de Cumani Selvazzano, Villa Emo Capodilista La Montecchia Valsanzibio di Galzignano Terme, Villa Barbarigo

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Medieval walled towns.

The ancient town of Cittadella, with its elliptical and perfectly preserved medieval walls, is one of the most interesting walled towns in Europe. The settlement started life as a military outpost of Padua, which founded it in 1220. The town walls are still intact with a circumference of 1461 m., 12 towers and 12 turrets of various heights, 32 sections and 12 Guelf merlons. The four major towers correspond to the four gates: Porta Bassano, Porta Treviso, Porta Vicenza and Porta Padova (or Porta Nuova, which is decorated by the town clock and the coat-of-arms of the Commune of Padova and of the Da Carrara family). Porta Padova incorporates the Church of St. Maria del Torresino and the Torre di Malta, which was built by Ezzelino da Romano in 1251 as a gruesome prison for his enemies, named also by Dante in the verses of the Divina Commedia (Paradise IX, 54). Besides the walls Cittadella offers a lot to visit such as the works of art inside the Duomo (cathedral) and its Museum, the nineteenth-century Teatro Sociale, with a neo-classical faade projected by Giuseppe Jappelli, the Town Hall, which dates back to the 14th century, the Palazzo Pretorio (Magistrates Hall), the Podest palace and the Archeologic Museum housed in the Torre di Malta. Monselice has an enchanting historical centre which develops around the slopes of the Citadel Hill. The defensive function and the setting out of the citadel (Rocca) date back to the Roman times, and was later enlarged and completed by the Langobards in the fifth century.

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In the year 1239 the town was further fortified by will of Emperor Frederic II, who ordered extensive fortification works and the building of the castle. The town was later contended by the most important families who dominated the region in the fourteenth century, the Estensi, the Carraresi and the Scaligeri until in 1338 it was conquered by the Da Carrara noble family of Padua. In 1405 following an enervating siege lasting a full year it became part of the Serenissima Republic of Venice, a domination which lasted until the end of the

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Cittadella Cittadella, Bassano Gate Cittadella, Teatro Sociale Cittadella, Cathedral

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eighteenth century. The beautiful walk from piazza Mazzini to the top of the hill reveals the most important historical events of the town through its main monuments. The first stop is at the Chiesa di S. Paolo (St. Pauls church), which keeps an early medieval crypt with 13th century frescoes. Taking the Via del Santuario you reach the Castello (Castle) a fortress dating from the late Middle Ages, re-built by Ezzelino da Romano in the 13th c., enlarged by the Da Carrara family and transformed into a residence by the Marcello Venetian noble family. In 1942 it was made a museum by Count Vittorio Cini who added a rich collection of arms and furniture. Continuing the ascent is the 16th century Villa Nani Moncenigo and after it the old Pieve di St. Giustina, which was consecrated in 1256, it houses a number of important works or art and a fine beamed ceiling (1787). After passing through the doorway

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Above, Cittadella, Palazzo Pretorio, fresco detail

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of the counts lion you reach the wide panorama of the rotonda. The Porta Romana (Roman gate) erected in 1651 marks the entry to the Jubilee Sanctuary of the Seven Churches designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi on commission from the Duodo Venetian noble family. The mansion of the Duodo family, Villa Duodo, and a spectacular exedra mark the end of the route. From here a stairway and path lead to the top of the hill (150 m) dominated by the imposing Mastio Federiciano (Fredericks stronghold). A short drive away is the elegant town of Este. Before the year 589 the river Adige flew through the town and along its banks important religious and cultural Paleovenetian settlements developed in pre-roman age.

5 Monselice, Villa Duodo 6 Monselice, Castle 7 Monselice, Antica Pieve of St. Giustina (old cathedral) 8 Monselice, the City Hall Below, Monselice, Sanctuary of the Seven Churches

The town became one of the most important Italian centres after the year 1000 thanks to the presence of the Estensi family, who erected their castle and fortified the town. The circle of walls was later enlarged by the Da Carrara family and by the Venetians. The fine rooms of the Atestino National Museum house a great number of items from Paleovenetian and Roman times, and a beautiful collection of ceramics. The imposing remains of the castle, which scenographically descend from the top of the hill downwards for about one kilometer, are one of the main attractions of the town. In the 13th century the castle became one of the most important centres of troubadoric poetry as many Italian

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1 2 3 4 5 6 Este, Castle Este, Situla Benvenuti Este, Castle Este, ceramics Este, Ca Pesaro Este, Atestino National Museum, Paleoveneti bronzes

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even in more recent times: in the 16th century a great numbers of artists gathered at the dwelling of Alvise Cornaro a rich and generous patron of art and culture of Venetian origins; in the 19th century the great romantic English poets Byron and Shelley spent a long and intense holiday at Villa Kunkler; the 20th century registered the presence of Bruce Chatwin and Emma Tennant at Villa Albrizzi. Este is worldwide famous for the production of artistic

and foreign troubadours and ministrels met at the court of Azzo VI of Este. The religious heritage of the town is very rich, too. The Cathedral keeps a beautiful painting by Giambattista Tiepolo (1759) and the tomb of Blessed Beatrice dEste, the daughter of the Marquis of Este, who died in 1226 when she was only 26 years old. Her beauty and virtue had enchanted many poets, who dedicated their lyrics to her. The charme of this town attracted poets and artists

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ceramics. The last walled town in the south-western part of the province of Padua is Montagnana. The fortified city centre remains one of the best preserved and most charming examples of a walled city in Europe. The walls have a circumference of about two kilometers with two gates and 24 towers. St. Zeno Castle, one of the two gates, was erected in 1242 and now hosts the Town Museum. The other gate, Rocca degli Alberi, is a real jewel of military architecture. It was erected in 1360 by the will of Francesco I the Elder of the Da Carrara family. The narrow porticoed streets of the town lead to the wide Vittorio Emanuele Square, dominated by the Cathedral (works of art by Sansovino and Paolo Veronese inside). Close to Porta Padova is Villa Pisani a work by Andrea Palladio (1553-1555). Montagnana is situated at the centre of the Veneto Berico Euganeo Sweet Ham
7 Montagnana, Palio of the 10 Communes 8 Montagnana, medieval walls 9 Montagnana, medieval walls

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production area. The glorious past of these beautiful medieval towns is recreated in spectacular historical re-enactments and medieval festivals, during which costumed performers, musicians, flag-wavers, invade the streets, play games from the middle ages, compete the palio (horse-race) to win the prize, and recreate the typical medieval atmosphere in vigorous and colourful tournaments, picturesque markets and medieval fayres. The most important medieval events are: Palio of Trambaque at Cervarese St. Croce Castle (May), Estensis Days in Este (June), Palio of Montagnana (1st Sunday in September), Roccas Joust in Monselice (3rd Sunday in Semptember) and Voices from the Middle Ages in Cittadella (end September-early October). The year ends with the Medieval New Year in Montagnana (last Sunday in December).

The Euganean Hills and other natural oases.

The gentle landscapes of the Euganean Hills are one of the main attractions and tourist destinations of the Paduan territory. Their peculiar skyline created by the sequence of about 100 hills of varying heights and shapes immediately catches the travellers eye. The hills arose during the volcanic activity in the Tertiary Era (between 30 and 40 million year ago) and are characterized by a special ecosystem, where different varieties of vegetation - from the typical Mediterranean shrublands to chestnut groves and mixed oak woods - unfold around the slopes of the hills. The Mount Venda (601 mt.) is the highest mountain and marks the centre of the hills. Protected since 1989 by the Colli Euganei Regional Park, the Euganean Hills cover nearly 20,000 hectares. The climate is particularly mild and allows extensive wine and oil-growing with excellent results: there are a full 13 D.O.C. (Denomination of Controlled Origin) wines including the well-known Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Serprino and Moscato Fior dArancio. Other typical products of the hills are honey, cheese and seasonal fruits (chestnuts, cherries, peas, and jujubes). Local feasts and village festivals celebrate these products, among them the Grape Festival, which takes place every year in September in Vo Euganeo. The Park counts 15 towns and villages with great natural and historical heritage. The gem of the hills is the medieval village of Arqu Petrarca, where time seems to stand still, keeping the magic of the Middle Ages intact. Its peaceful atmosphere attracted the great Italian poet Francesco Petrarca, who spent here the last years of his life. The enchanting landscape of the hills has attracted and inspired generations of poets, writers and artists: from the provenal troubadours, who gathered at the Estensi court in the 12th century to the most important Italian and foreign writers of the past centuries such as Byron, Shelley, Foscolo, Fogazzaro and Bruce Chatwin. Following one of the numerous signposted pathways of the Parco Colli is an excellent way to discover the magic of this unique natural oasis. Either by bicycle or on foot or even on horseback you will admire the Hillsrich flora, the wide extents of vineyards, meadows, olive-yards and woods and visit historical monuments and museums. Some places are ideal to observe the little inhabitants of the wood, in particular slow-worms, spotted salamanders, cuckoos, sparrow-hawks, badgers, foxes and stonemartens. Leaving the Euganean Hills and going eastwards, you meet the green Saccisica, which together with the Conselvano form a fertile countryside,
1 Torreglia, Villa Tolomei estate 2 Portrait of Francesco Petrarca Below, The Euganean Hills, view of Teolo Church

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Other distinctive buildings of this area are the idrovora (water-scooping machines), works of hydraulics especially built in the 19th century to avoid floods and now considered noteworthy examples of industrial archaeology. At the far south-eastern borders of the Saccisica the territory includes a portion of lagoon, the Valle Millecampi: 1,581 hectares of typical lagoon environment with canals of fresh water, stretches of brackish water, typical lagoon islets submerged at regular interval, which create an environment of great naturalistic and anthropological interest. The inhabitants of this part of the province are very proud of their ancient traditions

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rich in multi-coloured fields and orchards, crossed by an extraordinary network of waterways. This territory has always been the Paduan countryside and the beloved hinterland and endless granary of the Venetian nobility. The rural landscape is characterized by the presence of numerous country-houses, villas and mansions, old Benedictine courts. It was thanks to the presence of the monks that vast areas of marshy land were reclaimed and destined to agricultural purposes with the introduction of new cultivation systems. The Correzzola Benedictine Court, now partially transformed into hotel, and the Legnaro Court, now meeting centre, are among the best preserved medieval courts. Travelling through this part of the paduan province, it is easy to see the casoni, the typical rural houses of the area, which were originally built with very simple materials such as clay, reeds, straw and wood. Some casoni have been recently restored and are now part of the cultural heritage of the province of Padua.

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and rural origins, which they often celebrate during popular feasts and sagre (village festivals) dedicated to the agricultural produce such as the famous sweet potato of Anguillara, the radicchio of Maser, the grappa of Conselve and the DOC wines.
3 4 5 6 7 The Euganean Hills at sunset Valle Millecampi Orchard on the Euganean Hills Saccisica, view of the countryside Cinto Euganeo, former Cava Bomba kiln, now Museum

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On the table the flavours of a generous land.

Going for food and wine in the Paduan territory means going for surprises and nostalgia such as one would never find elsewhere Orio Vergani, Writer and journalist
The Paduan cuisine combines high quality ingredients with a traditional simple way of cooking. A great variety of seasonal products feeds it in its diversity of lagoons, valleys, hills, fluvial and on the plain. Tasteful examples of the typical Paduan cuisine are the numerous minestre maridae (soups with rice and pasta), pasta e fasoi (pasta and beans), risi e bisi (rice and peas), rice with chiken livers, rice with pumpkin, vegetable soup, sausages and luganeghe with polenta, quails and game of the plain and of the Po Delta, tripe and baccal (stockfish) Honey is produced both in the Millefiori (obtained from different types of flowers) and in the one-flower variety, in particular acacia and chestnut honey. Among the starters, the famous bigoli, especially those seasoned with duck ragout, deserve a mention. A specialty of Torreglia are the torresani (tower doves). The oenogastronomic tradition of the Euganean Hills can be discovered through the itineraries and suggestions of the Strada del Vino Colli Euganei (Euganean Hills Wine Route Association). The cooking of the Montagnana and Este districts are influenced by the near Polesine area. Tasteful and simple it is based on genuine local products: rice, truffle, game and pig. Actually this is the area of the rites connected with the butchering of the pig and from it come forth the most unthought-of creations, such as codesini (tails), bondiola col lengual (sausage with tongue), soppresse, luganeghe, etc, but the most famous of all, is the Prosciutto Veneto Berico Euganeo better known as Montagnana sweet raw ham. One of the most ancient recipes of this district is the oca in onto (goose), a dish which is rarely served today and based on the conservation of goose cuts in their fat.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Typical products Schissotto bread Bondiola sausage Typical Wine-cellar of the Euganean Hills Jujubes specialities Polverara hen Padovana hen Veneto Berico Euganeo Raw Sweet Ham Old crafts, besoms Grape-gathering time

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with white or yellow polenta. In spring and in autumn nature helps create special flavours, offering numerous varieties of wild herbs and undergrowth products which are used in risottos, omelettes, stuffings and traditional cakes. The Euganean Hills are a real and true mine of wild herbs, excellent wines and oils. The area boasts thirteen D.O.C. wines, the quality carefully controlled and certified by the Consorzio Vini Colli Euganei. The area also has a long tradition of oil production. Documents report of the existence of an oil-mill already in the 14th century, and the still existing and working oil-mill in Valnogaredo dates back to the 18th century. The oil has a particularly fruity flavour and an after taste that hints of sweet almonds.
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Dishes of game, baccal and radicchio (lettuce-type vegetable but purplish red in colour) are also frequently served in this area. The abundance of water and the wide extent of permanent meadows encourage the production of excellent cheese, such as Asiago, Montasio and Grana Padano.

The traditional list of desserts includes the zaleti (biscuits made with maize porridge flour) and the Pazientini, biscuits made with almonds and hazel-nuts. The south-eastern area of the Paduan Province, the so called Saccisica, a green land characterised by wide expanses of fields and a huge number of farms, is the reign of the Friularo Wine and of poultry. Ducks, geese, wild ducks, but above all the famous Polverara hen, which, together with the Paduan hen are considered the best Italian chickens. The closeness to the lagoon influences the cuisine of the area. It is not rare to find restaurants which include in their menus fish specialties (both sea and river fish, but also frogs), together with game or roasts. Dishes made with horse or pony meat are a peculiar culinary tradition of this territory. The typical dishes of the Alta Padovana (northern part of the Province) are strictly linked to the local tradition and based on seasonal products. Here the polenta is truly queen, also in its sweet version (polentina). Even though in this part of the province there is a great fervour of gastronomic initiative, there survives a widespread respect to tradition and it is still possible to find polenta e osei (polenta with small quail birds cooked on a spit), arna rosta (roasted duck), marsoni fritti (fried fish), and the luccio (pike) of the Brenta river.

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Arts and Crafts.
Padua and its province boast a rich tradition of handicrafts - it can truly be considered an artisan province. The origins of all the main handicraft sectors, such as ironwork, copperwork (wrought and embossed), casting copper (the Situla Benvenuti displayed at the Atestino National Museum is a pre-Roman masterpiece of copper working). Other distinctive crafts of the area are the enamel painting of home accessories, the ceramics production (of great value the Estensis ones), the production of wooden furniture, the restoration of antique furniture (this activity is very diffused in the Montagnana area). A great importance has also the jewellery sector. The textile craft, which was the main source of Paduan medieval economy, continues in a springing up of knitwear and textile factories, needle-work and tanning. Typical handicrafts can be admired on the occasion of the numerous arts&crafts exhibitions and fairs or during local feasts and festivals, when great attention is often dedicated to this sector.

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