Euganian hills & Padua

Montagnana

Montagnana is famous for its medieval walls, the best preserved example of medieval walls in Europe, as well as for its renaissance buildings. A walk among the ancient towers, picturesque alleys and special local shops to taste the famous ham is a pleasant experience to do in a few hours. Highlights: Castel San Zeno and Ezzelino’s Keep, the Cathedral Santa Maria Assunta with masterpieces of Veronese and Giorgione, the Rocca of Trees, Villa Pisani of Palladio, tasting the local DOP ham.

Arquà Petrarca

An enchanting little village in the heart of the Euganian hills, so fascinating that also our Poet Francesco Petrarca decided to spend the last years of his life in this village. Here he found the inspiration to complete his great epic poem “Africa”. The house where he lived is now a museum and it is considered as the origin of the concept of Villa in the Veneto region.

Padua

We proceed keeping our medieval thread visiting Padova, the city of the second oldest University of Italy. The period of the Commune of Padova marked the beginning of a new era. During this period the city experienced very important events: the building of Palazzo della Ragione, an imposing representation of the great power of the Commune, the old headquarters of the courts of justice and a covered market (1218); the establishment of the University (1222); the construction of the first city walls (1195-1210); the construction of hundreds of towers; the building of the grand Basilica dedicated to St. Anthony who died in Padua in 1231; the frescoes of the Scrovegni Chapel, Giotto’s masterpiece in the early 1300s. Further input to the cultural and economical life of Padova was given by the Carrara Lords during the 14th century. It’ s enough to think to the contribution of de' Menabuoi, Jacopo d'Avanzo, Altichiero da Zevio, Giovanni Pisano, Francesco Petrarca, Giovanni Dondi dall'Orologio.