"Padua - An unexpected surprise" Padova by kia81

I have just came back from a week end in Padua spent with my best friends, Roberta and Valentina,
We went there to see an exhibition on the fabolous 60s and another one dedicated to the Macchiaioli.
hey were great, but I have to admit that the biggest surprise was the city of Padua!

Basilica of SANT'ANTONIO

Padua is situated in the North of Italy, quite near to Venice, maybe for this reason is not so popular, but I think that its city center is very nice and interesting from an architectural and artistic point of view.
I suggest to visit first of all the basilica of Saint Anthony (SANT'ANTONIO DA PADOVA) that is the most important monument of the city.
The basilica, built in the 13th century, is s mixture of style and for this reason very particular.
At fist sight it is quite similar to the Basilica of San Marco in Venice, but seen more attentively it is a mix of romanic and gothic style and it is unusual!
If you go to Padua you can not miss the Scrovegni Chapel painted by Giotto, but I suggest to book the tickets because only few people for visit can enter.
Another interesting thing of Padua is Prato della Valle that is a circular meadow surrounded by canals and 78 statues of important/famous people of the city.
If you still have time, visit the botanic garden of the University, most of all if it is a sunny day of autumn, when all the trees have wonderful colours!
However Padua is not finished: its elegant shops in the center, the other churches like the Dom, the historic buildings like "Palazzo della Ragione" , the quiet streets and the beautiful arcades are valid reason to visit the city!

• Pros:Nice city with interesting monuments and an active cultural life
• Cons:Nightlife almost nonexistent
• In a nutshell:A big surprise!