Padova Off The Beaten Path

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This is the only museum open for tour. The other 3-4 are under renovation. Some of the artifacts and paintings have been moved over to here, but that makes it a hodge podge of a museum, with archeological section, frescoes, sculptures, religious items and icons, and some modern art. The archeological items dates back into 200 BC, but most are from medieval times. There are some nice 14-15th century frescoes Tommaso, Bellini, Lotto, etc.
Ticket price is only 3 euro, so I guess it is practical enough for what you see. The dissappointment is the other museums are apparently closed for quite some time and re-opening unknown.

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The town is still surrounded by walls and the original castle fortress ruins of Rocca, called Mostio Fredericiano is up on the top of the hill. You used to be able to take a walk up there on a series of pathes from the Villa Duodo monument of statues. It apparently is under redevelopment and no access allowed. The town is from BC times and has been a military point for centuries. It is named so by the Romans signifying Mons Silicis, or mining in quarries of flintstone. Ezzilino III took control in 1237 and fortified the walls further. The Carrara family conquered it in 1338 and eventually it went to Venice as a satellite in 1405, and in 1866 became part of the new Italy democracy.
Cini castle (CA' Marcello)is the main feature to tour, and has a large collection of medieval weapons and armor. It is carved into 4 structures built since 11th century. The Marcello family bought it in 1400's and converted into a summer villa. After decline, the Cini family inherited the complex and restored it. It became a property of Venice in 1981. Next to the castello is a wonderful antiquarium necropolisof the Longobards
It is open March-November and closed Mondays. Time for oturs are on the hour except for that long lunch period. They have a fiori festival -flowers every mid week of April.

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Cini castle (CA' Marcello)is the main feature to tour, and has a large collection of medieval weapons and armor. It is carved into 4 structures built since 11th century. The Marcello family bought it in 1400's and converted into a summer villa. After decline, the Cini family inherited the complex and restored it. It became a property of Venice in 1981. It is composed of very warm medieval colors and design.
It is open March-November and closed Mondays. Time for oturs are on the hour except for that long lunch period.

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This is one garden that may rank up in top ten in Euroe. It is large and well maintained. It was redesigned in grand scale by Francisco Barbarigo, owner of the villa and estate in middle 1669. The design was by BerniniSixty statues by Enrico Merengo are magnificent. There are 60 other sculptures integrated into the forty acre grounds. It also holds a hedge maze, huge marble table top, rabbit island, hermit cave, to name a few of the wonderful sites on the grounds. All the the garden layout and treasures have been as originally designed since the six generations of Barbrigo's ownership.
Open 10-7 daily, except Mondays. Fee is 9 Euro, or seniors for 7.5 Euro.

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The first picture is of Villa Elena, formally known as Villas Salvatico Sartori. It had at one time an unbelievable stairway up to the villa that sits on top of a small hill. It stil has some of that saved architcture. Built in the 1570-73, the elaborate staircase with sculpted pillars and statues is from the 17th century. In 1818, it and a garden was redesigned and by Jappelli. Inside are fescoes by Ferrari and Bedogoni depicting Anetore and the story of founding of Padova. The hitch is the villa is only open to view first Sunday of each month, on certain months. Locals know when and how; while tourists drive to it and wonder.

Catjo Castle is a huge compound that was built in 1572, and it now is only used from weddings and events. It was a villa for the Obizzi family but they left in 1805. It transferred to Austrin rule under Francesco Ferdinando, and he collected musical instruments. After the Itlay war, it sent to the Government. It also was used as an oratorio or convent apparently. Frescoes inside and on the loggia ceilings are by Zelotti from that date. Even though it is nearly run down in some ares, the sheer elegance still comes through. Across the road is a garden area, that has citurs trees and sculpted gardens and pond.

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These are very well maintained gardens and the area is expansive. It is 25 acres, or 11 hectares. Planned by architect Frigimelica de' Roberti, it was laid out when the villa was not even built, around 1720. He died before villa work started. It encompasses a long pond, flower beds, maze, citrus trees, coffee house on a moated hill mound, stables and other area worth viewing. The coffee house was used to keep ice during the hot season., and is surrounded by a water moat, having frogs. In 1839 a second ice house was built close to the stables area. I would personally rate this garden in top 10 of ones I have seen in Europe in size and grandeur.

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The walk through the gardens can take a couple of hours if you enjoy that type of scenery. They are well laid out and maintained. It is about 11 hectares-25 acres. good description of the grounds is in the information at the center to purchase tickets. Grounds only viewing is 2 Euro and home and grounds 5 Euro.

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An absolutely fabulous palazzo with construction starting in 1720 by architect Frigmelica, and finish design by Preti due to the death of frigmelica. It was for the Pisani family, one of the most wealthy in the area which had many villas. Alvise Pisani became the 114th Doge the year of the building, and was designed to have 114 rooms. They did not live there very long. It is the largest on the Riviera. The interior frescoes are magnificent and painted by Tiepolo 1760-62, and Amigoni. Grounds emcompases 10 hectares.
When Napoleon conquered the area in late 1700's and due to gambling debts of a grandchild, it sold to Napoleon I. After the fall of that ruler, it went to the Hapsburg Austrian Empire and remained until 1866. In 1882 it became an Italian public grounds and national monument.
The tour is on the first floor and covers all 114 rooms and ends into the grand ballroom, with lovely frescoe ceilings. The paintings celebrate the glory of the Pisani family, and this ballroom is one of the finest in all of Europe with the red marble and baroque plaster and statues.
Cost is 5 Euro and well worth every penny. Open 9:00 to 19:00 Aprile through Septtembre Tuesday through Sunday and Octobre through Marche 9:00 to 16:00. Cost is 5 Euro and grounds 2.50 Euro.