The Intriguing Padua (Padova)

MsTam
Aug 27
4 min read

Highlights

Parking: Parcheggio Piazza Insurrezione (Link)

Coffee Break: Caffe Pedrocchi (Link)

Shopping (friend shoutout): Louis Vuitton (Link)

Historic Site: Scrovegni Chapel (Link)

Padova University: Tour the University where Galileo and Copernicus taught (Link)

Drinks: Gold of Baessato (Link)

Not going to lie...I had never heard of Padova, Italy before I lived so close to it. And even when I had heard of it after moving here, it was for two reasons: to visit IKEA and to visit a friend I made who worked at Louis Vuitton there. I know, grimace, very sad. Because there is SO MUCH more to this small, college-town sitting pretty just 30 minutes away from Venice.

I've found that when you're moving to a new country, you tend to gravitate toward the things that are familiar or things that you get exposed to by people you know - that's sometimes brands like IKEA and a sweet lady who works in luxury retail. My first few trips to Padova were solely to get home goods for our "temporary" stay here; the next few were to see my friend at LV and look at beautiful bags and accessories.

LOVE the LV experience...ask for Elena, she's the BEST!

My fabulous unofficial travel guide and bestie Dez opened my eyes to the many treasures Padova was waiting to unveil, and now it's a go-to for our impromptu day trips. We like to visit Padova for afternoon excursions and Sunday fun-days.

You can wander the luxury-laden downtown streets, perusing and catching up beneath the arched walkways, window shopping or actual shopping in the luxury retail offerings that are aplenty. But when you're ready for a sweet treat, head to Pedrocchi Cafe for a something truly special.

The most popular thing on the menu at Caffe Pedrocchi is undoubtedly their Pedrocchi Coffee, a mint coffee that is the "perfect combination of 100% Arabica espresso, fresh cream and mint syrup, topped with a dusting of bitter cocoa" (per their website). In the warmer months, they serve a cold espresso and mint cream Pedrocchi Summer Coffee that is divine and just as tasty.

Summer Lunch at Coffee Pedrocchi (I spy the Summer Pedrocchi Coffee!)

One of Padova's nicknames is "citta dei tre senza" or "city with three withouts." This refers to three distinct "withouts" that Padova contains: a saint without a name, a meadow without grass, and the cafe without doors. This last "without" is the Caffe Pedrocchi, as since it was founded (and until 1916), it was open all day and all night and never turned away customers, even those who didn't purchase something to eat or drink. They published their menu newspaper style then and still do now, which I absolutely love. Like most of everywhere else in Italy, the history behind this Caffe is immense. It opened in 1831 as you've undoubtedly guessed from the pictures above, but it was also important because it played a role in 1848 riots against Habsburg invaders, it produced not just coffee but also ice, and it was among the first buildings in the region to install gas lights.

Another fun fact about Padova is that it is also nicknamed, "the brain of Veneto." This is because one of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities in the world is here - the University of Padova. Founded in 1222, it has seen the likes of Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei as its scholars and teachers. Galileo stated that he spent the best 18 years of his life in Padova. It's quite humbling to walk the same streets as these great thinkers, and many many others. (Check it out here: University of Padova Eminent Alumni). More on that later...

On one particular trip, my fabulous unofficial tour guide bestie, Dez recommended we check out the Scrovegni Chapel, most known for its beautifully vibrant blue arched ceiling specked with luminous stars that still twinkle hundreds of years later. My first time determined that it would not be my last This experience absolutely requires reserving your tickets ahead of time, their website says it's not possible to make reservations for the same day. Secure your tickets in advance and make sure to arrive at the entrance by your designated time slot...they don't play about the timing. Understandable to keep visits small and brief, protecting the treasures within.

Gold glittering stars against the bluest sky

The Scrovegni Chapel was built around 1300, and was frescoed between 1303-1305. Unreal! Scrovegni Chapel was originally a private Chapel for the Scrovegni family, attached to their palace in the 1300's and until 1880, when it was acquired by the city of Padova. Giotto de Bondone was commissioned to paint the frescoes and this Tuscan master held nothing back. The detail, expressions and color are still stunning, and you'll see something new with every look. Two particular facts were interesting to me - these frescoes contain the first known "kiss" in art history (article) and there's an easter egg (wearing a bishop's hat) in The Last Judgement (see pic below, can you find it?)

You get 20 minutes to oogle and ogle, take pics without flash, and whisper amongst yourselves (or to yourself lol) how amazing it is that these have been around for 720 years. Again, humbling to know how very fleeting time is and how we can still experience such masterpieces hundreds of years later.

If you have time, I'd also recommend doing the Palazzo Bo tour at Padova University, the treasures to behold are stunning. From donated skulls of long-dead faculty to the main auditorium where the greats have taught, to the wooden teaching structure built specifically for Galileo (his classes were insanely popular) and the first known autopsy viewing room...unreal! I've purchased tickets at the entrance (around 10euro) but you can also secure your tickets here: https://www.unipd.it/en/bo.