Page 184 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Venice & The Veneto

182  THE VENE T O AREA B Y AREA

Exploring Padua

Padua is an old university town with an illustrious academic
history. Rich in art and architecture, it boasts two outstanding
sights. The first is the Scrovegni Chapel (see pp184–5) in the
north of the city, which is renowned for Giotto’s lyrical frescoes.
Close to the railway station, it forms part of the Eremitani
museums complex. The second is the Basilica di Sant’Antonio, Sundial on the façade of the Palazzo
one of Italy’s most popular pilgrim shrines, which forms the della Ragione
focal point for a number of sights in the south of the city
(see p186). A combined museum ticket is available. P Palazzo della Ragione
Piazza delle Erbe. Tel 049 820 50 06.
Open 9am–6pm Tue–Sun (to 7pm in
summer). Closed 1 Jan, 1 May, 25 Dec.
& = 7
The “Palace of Reason”, also known
as the “Salone” by locals, was built
to serve as Padua’s law court and
council chamber in 1218. The vast
main hall was originally frescoed
by the celebrated artist Giotto, but
fire destroyed his work in 1420.
Detail from the Egyptian room, upper floor of the Caffè Pedrocchi The frescoes that survive today
are by the relatively unknown
P Caffè Pedrocchi university building is mostly Nicola Miretto, though their
Via VIII Febbraio 15. Tel 049 878 12 31. used today for graduation astrological theme is fascinating.
Open daily (Jun–Oct: Tue–Sun). ceremonies. Originally it housed The Salone is breathtaking
Museo del Risorgimento e dell’Età the medical faculty, renowned in its sheer size. It is Europe’s
Contem poranea: Tel 049 820 50 07. throughout Europe. Among its biggest undivided medieval hall,
Open 9.30am–12.30pm, 3:30–6pm famous teachers and students 80 m (260 ft) long, 27 m (90 ft)
Tue–Sun. Closed Aug. & was Gabriele Fallopio (1523–62), wide and 27 m (90 ft) high. The
∑ caffepedrocchi.it
after whom the Fallopian tubes scale is reinforced by the wooden
Grand cafés have long played an are named. horse displayed at one end – a
important role in the intellectual Elena Lucrezia Corner Piscopia massive beast, copied from
life of northern Italy, and many was the first female graduate in Donatello’s Gattamelata statue
philosophical issues have been 1678 – long before women (see p187) in 1466 and originally
thrashed out at the Caffè could study at many of Europe’s made to be pulled in procession
Pedrocchi since it first opened other universities. Her statue is during Paduan festivities.
in 1831. Politics super seded on the staircase leading to the The walls are covered in
philosophy when it became upper gallery of the 16th- Miretto’s frescoes (1420–25), a
a centre of the Risor gimento century courtyard. total of 333 panels depicting
movement, dedicated to Visitors on the tour are shown the months of the year with
liberating Italy from Austrian rule; the pulpit Galileo used when he appropriate gods, zodiacal signs
it was the scene of uprisings in taught here from 1592 until and seasonal activities.
1848, for which several student 1610. They also see the world’s Also within the palazzo is the
leaders were executed. Later it oldest surviving anatomy theatre Stone of Shame, on which bank-
became famous as the café that (1594), viewing the room from rupts were exposed to ridicule
never closed its doors. These the centre looking up. before they were sent into exile.
days people come to talk, read,
play cards or watch the world
go by as they eat and drink.
The upstairs rooms, decorated
in Moorish, Egyptian and Greek
styles, are now the premises
of a museum.
P Palazzo del Bo (University)
Via VIII Febbraio 2. Tel 049 827 33 15.
Open Tue, Thu & Sat am, Mon, Wed
& Fri pm (may vary, phone to check).
& 8
Named after a tavern called Il Bo
(the ox), the historic main The 16th-century galleried anatomy theatre in the Palazzo del Bo

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