Padua: Self-Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Center – Veneto, Italy

EXPERIENCE:

Situated between Venice and Verona, Padua is known as the city of St Anthony. On this walking tour I’ll show you how the city has been able to preserve its artistic and cultural heritage, and why the city is famous for being hospitable.

Even when the city was founded in 1222, its prestigious university welcomed students of any religion. And artists and scientists such as Donatello, Giotto, Galileo Galilei and others found a second home here too. The Jews fleeing persecution from Spain, Portugal and northern Europe also settled here, creating one of the most diverse and interesting Italian ghettos, still intact today.

Highlights along our walk include:

• Prato della Valle, the largest square in Italy
• St Anthony Square with Donatello’s statue of Gattamelata
• The Tomb of Antenor
• Imposing Palazzo della Ragione with its large frescoes depicting an astrological cycle
• Local markets
• The Arch of the Rope where dishonest traders were punished
• Torre dell’Orologio, one of the most beautiful clock towers ever built
• The old Jewish ghetto with its small squares, narrow streets and three synagogues
• The stumbling stones in the Jewish ghetto
• Bo Palace, the seat of University of Padua, the second oldest in Italy, which houses Galileo’s original desk

Join me in following the paths of these artists and thinkers, and find yourself inspired by Padua’s timeless atmosphere.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

See Torre dell’Orologio, one of the most beautiful clock towers ever built
Hear from producer Mariacristina Pozza who’s been guiding tours for 25 years
Do it all in an hour or linger at stops along the way
Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it
Use the virtual tour option at home

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