Culture of Padua. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces
By the amount of significant tourist objects the city of Padua trails only the majestic sea-born city of Venice. Padua is a large and impressive city which offers its guests various excursion programs fitting every taste, fancy and budget. A unique historical landmark is the Cathedral of Padua (Duomo di Padova). In the course of the long history of its existence the cathedral was twice destroyed to the root and rebuilt anew.
1. Tourists spending vacation in Padua may enjoy a trip to Venice as each day buses are departing from the Piazzale Boschett. The cost of a trip will be about 4Euro and the trip will last up … Open
Among other religious monuments and landmarks the Saint George Oratory and the Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua are the most interesting ones. The basilica stuns its visitors with its scale and unique architectural decoration. One of the oldest buildings of the city of Padua is the Bo Palace. The palace currently hosts one of the city universities. The building of the palace was finished in 1493. Its history is rich in numerous significant events.
Thus, by the end of the 16th century the palace hosted the first and only one anatomy theater on the territory of Europe. In the beginning of the 17th century Galileo Galilei was teaching students there. The same impressive historical landmark is the Palace of Ragione (Palazzo della Ragione). Its length is about 80m and the height of the building is 24m. The palace of ultimate beauty serves as a kind of a border between two city squares of the same majestic beauty being the Fruit square and Herb square. Among cultural landmarks and sights the Rissorgimento and Contemporary Art Museum is well worth visiting. The museum keeps a huge collection of historical showpieces. This cultural establishment holds interesting excursions and offers its guests to watch various historical documental films.
In the section below, you can get one of our excursion, activities or city discovery tours over Padua and surroundings. Our website offers 10-30% lower ticket prices, when compared to the offline purchase on the spot.
City tours, excursions and tickets in Padua and surroundings
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Public palaces near Padua
♥ Palace 'Palazzo Chiericati' Vicenza, 30 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Ca’ Foscari' , 35.2 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Palazzo Labia' , 35.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Ca’ Rezzonico' , 35.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Palazzo Malipiero' , 35.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Palazzo Grassi' , 35.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Palazzo Barbarigo' , 35.5 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Palazzo Chiericati' Vicenza, 30 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Ca’ Foscari' , 35.2 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Palazzo Labia' , 35.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Ca’ Rezzonico' , 35.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Palazzo Malipiero' , 35.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Palazzo Grassi' , 35.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Palazzo Barbarigo' , 35.5 km from the center. On the map Photo
Cathedrals and basilicas near Padua
♥ Basilica Pontificia di Sant’Antonio, Padova, 0.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilica-Abbazia di S. Giustina, Padova, 1.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilica-Abbazia di S. Maria Assunta, Praglia, 12.1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilica di S. Maria delle Grazie, Este, 26.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilica di S. Maria di Monte Berico, Vicenza, 29.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Cattedrale di S. Maria Annunziata, Vicenza, 30.2 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilica di S. Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venezia, 35.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilica Pontificia di Sant’Antonio, Padova, 0.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilica-Abbazia di S. Giustina, Padova, 1.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilica-Abbazia di S. Maria Assunta, Praglia, 12.1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilica di S. Maria delle Grazie, Este, 26.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilica di S. Maria di Monte Berico, Vicenza, 29.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Cattedrale di S. Maria Annunziata, Vicenza, 30.2 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilica di S. Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venezia, 35.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
Unique spots in Padua and near
Piombi Prison
From the series “Famous prisons of the world”
Check on the map: Distance from Padua center - 36.3 km.
Only seven cells were equipped in the prison. They were used for the detention of political prisoners. Also, prisoners who had a high social position were held here. It was in this prison that the world-famous adventurer Casanova served his sentence. He became one of the few prisoners who managed to escape from Piombi. Casanova described his time in prison and his escape in his memoirs later. Excursions are conducted through the ancient prisons today. Visitors to the Doge's Palace can see the preserved prison cells located under the roof. They will also have the opportunity to descend into the palace's dungeons. The prison was also located there in the medieval period. …
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Saint Marks Basilica
From the series “Monuments of Byzantium: the most famous buildings”
Check on the map: Distance from Padua center - 36.1 km.
The best craftsmen worked on the construction of the basilica. According to one version, the Church of the Holy Apostles located in Constantinople at that time became the prototype for the basilica. The facade of the basilica impresses with an abundance of elegant elements today. These are carved towers and archways, sculpture with images of saints, mosaic inserts, and miniature superstructures. All this forms a unique image of the basilica. The building impresses with its scale. The height of the cathedral is 43 meters. Its length is more than 76 meters. …
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Ponte di Rialto
From the series “Unbelievable and Magnificent Bridges and Viaducts”
Check on the map: Distance from Padua center - 36 km.
Just like many years ago, the shops are open, 24 souvenir shops with exclusive goods on the bridge. Rialto Bridge is located in the district of the same name, to whose honor it was named. It must be noted that the bridge was built in the narrowest part of the Great Channel. In 1551 a competition for the best bridge design was declared, in which the most famous and mostly gifted architects of Europe participated. The unsuccessful architect Antonio de Ponte won the competition. The design of the bridge, presented by him, recalled the old wooden bridge, which was used for crossing the canal earlier. …
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Photogallery of cultural heritage of Padua
Landmarks of culture on Padua map: art-galleries, monuments, palaces, etc
Culture guide to Padua. Which fascinating sights to visit once you are in Padua: temples, churches, museums, theaters and castles. Recommendations (with addresses, phone numbers and links) on the places 'must visit' in Padua. Plan your own city excursion by using this page info!