Padova Off The Beaten Path

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It is located right at the edge of Stra, and before Villa Pisani, and on the canal by a bridge just outside of Stra. It is an example of villa elegance in the era. BAsed on internet pictures, the inside seems to be plush. It is, however a shoe museum by the Rossi family, who celebrated its 100th year in 1995. Entry is 5 Euro and there is a barchesse and grounds in rear
Cost to enter is 5 Euro. Even though the time showed to be open, there was no one around at the gate, and no other tourists. I believe they may open when convenient to them. Times are said to be Sundays and holidays every hour at the 30 minutes commencing at 2:30. Visits include the CAlzatura Museo, and the Barchessa affrescata, and garden.

When tourist visit Padova they hardly notice that, at few kilometers, there is a wonderful are worthwile visit. Colli Euganei are a bunch of vulcanic hills, they have been made a Regional Forest Park several years ago and they offer great view of the area around, they host wonderful small restaurant (trattoria) usually family run and affordable and they are a well known Wine area. If you have the possibility to rent a car and get out the town you will be amazed by those scenic hills. Plenty of wineyard, oil mills, honey producer etc. At almost every corner you will see a sign "vendita vino" or "vendita miele" etc, be sure to stop and find out more.
I am grouping all my tips about this area in Teolo page for the north part of the hillss and Arquà Petrarca for the South part. in case you want to find out more go there.

This huge monastery is part of the Benedictine monk property as Santa Giustina in the center of Padova. I am particulary close to this place as I used to live wery close to it and was always brought here by my grandmother that now rest in the cemetary nearby.
It is a massive costruction, the monks living there are almost self sufficient as they grow the plants they need and some animals. They are know to sell a excellent honey and some herbs like camomille etc. Their main job is book preservation, the workshop is known all over Europe and still working as far as i know.
It is possible to visit the monastry, the church and part of the workshops. Refer to their website for timetables etc as they change often.
To reach the monastry from Padova you can use SITA bus, they leave from the train station and you can distinguish them from the town bus because they are blue instead of orange. Ask the tickets booth for direction about the right bus to catch.

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It was dedicated to St. Peter, and once was a small church built in Roman era. The adjacent church from 1100's is St. Johns. the complex is huge, and the Duomo pillars grand. It has had much renovation, so the front is new looking compare to what history buffs would like to see. A cyrpt contains fragments of colored medieval frescoes.
The Duomo may not be always open-or at least it was closed 12-3 when we were there.

The brick facade is rather mundane, in my opinion. It was built in the 13th century. The roof is very high and shaped like a boat keel. It is wood and painted artwork on it. The frescoes inside are the site to take in, some by Tomaso Modena of Madonna.

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The Pieve di Santa Giustina was first on the Rocca hill and built in 1122. When Fredrick II built a castle keep on the structure, it was rebuilt in 1256 in Romanesque style. Now called Duomo vecchio-old cathedral, it holds a number of famous art works from the 16th century. The artwork was done by Tommasco and Paolo. the church is not always open, so try the door.
The Duodo family erected seven chapels along the road. It was designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi along with the villa Duodo in early 1600. This was a sanctuary to give the faithful pilgrimages to these chapels. On the right next to Duodo is SAn Giorgio from 1600. It is a fabulous tour inside. Small but holds faded frescoes and a display of about 12 christian martyrs that came were transferred from Rome (dead) entombed in glass cases, decorated in elaborate costumes and jewelry. It really has not changed in hundreds of years and the monitor there is pleasant to talk to while he is selling trinkets for donations and his livelihood.
The large newer red birck church in the main square has a barrel shaped alcove and is large.

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The university was founded about 1231 time frame. It expanded in 1313-14 and became concentrated on law and medicine. The old hospital is in the center of the campus, and now the main focus. Most buildings are from 1800's, a couple Palazzo Bortolan and Palazzo dell'Ultomesimo Latino.

This is the nucleus center of the city, and Piazza del Signori means Lords Square The anchor is Palazzo deil Podesta, built in 15th century. It was rebult in 1870s. It has a tall civic tower called Il Campanion. It is intertwined with the brick Palazzo dei Trecento, the council hall, an area used even back to Roman times. It was built in 1185.
Upscale shopping starts at this pointalong Via CAimaggiore and going toward the Duomo.