"Padova" a Padova Travel Page by Polly74

This city is one of the cultural and economic centers in the Northeast of Italy. Padua is a pilgrimage city, millions of pilgrims come here every year to visit the "Basilica di Sant’Antonio", where the grave of "Sant’Antonio" is preserved. The other reason to visit this city is Giotto. In Padua you will find the most complete (and the best preserved) collection of works by Giotto.

Padua was the second biggest university city in Europe. During the 13th and 16th centuries the city was a scientific, artistic and cultural center --although Giotto and Donatello were from Florence, they left here their best works.

Padua was an independent republic during some years, till 1405 when Venice took hold of it.

Padua currently has more than 240,000 inhabitants and it is a commercial and industrial city. It is also a major communication link in the north of Italy. The city has a Venet origin, and from 225 to 49 bC was allied with Rome. The city has suffered many different dominations during its history, among others Osthrogoths (493), Byzanths (541-68), Lombards (601) and Francs

Pauda became a Commune in the 12th century, but lost its independence soon after. In 1405 the city became part of the Venice Republic. In 1797 it was invaded by France, in 1815-66 by Austria and finally in 1866 it became part of the Italian reign.

A good idea if you want to visit Padua is to buy a "Biglietto Unico" (one Ticket), valid at most of the museums in Padua and good for one year. There’s also a ticket for the monuments and museums in the province. You can buy both of them at all the monuments and museums that they give access to and at the tourist offices.