Padua

Padua, or Padova in Italian, is a city in the Veneto region of northern Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Padua and a major educational and cultural center, located about 40 kilometers west of Venice on the Bacchiglione River in the Padua plain.

Its history stretches back to antiquity, and it grew in the Middle Ages as a commercial hub and a seat of learning. The University of Padua, founded in 1222, is among the oldest universities in the world and has been influential in science and humanities; Galileo Galilei taught there in the late 16th century.

The city hosts several notable landmarks, including the Scrovegni Chapel with frescoes by Giotto, the Basilica of Saint Anthony, the large Prato della Valle, and the historic Palazzo della Ragione. The Torre dell'Orologio in Piazza dei Signori is another prominent feature, and the city center preserves a medieval and Renaissance urban fabric. The University’s historic seat, the Palazzo del Bo, anchors the academic heritage of Padua.

Today Padua remains a major university town with a diversified economy focused on education, research, services, and light industry. It maintains a vibrant cultural life with museums, theaters, and historic cafés such as Caffè Pedrocchi.