Padova Off The Beaten Path

4 more images

The statues were mostly done by Enrico Merengo in 1670. They are still in great shape and the family of Barbarigo kept all intact over these years. The winged statue symbolizes the aged time and is a new word for me regarding the block-dodecahedron

2 more images

The intent was to take a liesurely day and strol the main street down the town to take in the ambiance. What really happened that day of 25-4-08 was Liberation day. Waht does that mean. Well Itlay was liberated form the Nazi tyrannny and therefore, everybody gets off work for the weekend. We had only 20 miles from Padova to get to Chioggia, and the first 10 miles took 1 1/2 hours. Needless to say, after seeing all the traffic and the camper trailers on the only road going to this island, we turned around and gave up. I regret not being able to go here, but traffic prevails.

4 more images

The villa's first part was built in 1593 and designed by Vincenzo Scomozzi. They tore down and old castle called St. George at the time. The villa family had the Venizian power and one was the Doge then. The wing on the right was added in 1740. The grey and white color are a good elegant look. The villa is privately owned by by University of Padova, and only the SAn Giorgio sanctuary and grounds are acccessable. the large monument to St. Francis Xavier was built in late 1600's to commemorate the sanit who once came here years before.

1 more image

The museum is also called Museo Nazionale Atestino and opened first in 1902. In 1984 it was renovated. The displays are form the oldest to newer artifcacts. The first floor is of the town Este from prehjistoric times to the Veneto region when assembled. Ground floor is a Roman section that took control oof the area in 175 BC, and carries forward to 10th century period. There are some nice items to see, but the overall size is not large.
Entry is 3 Euro and open 9-16:00 daily

2 more images

There is a large garden that is the main focus of the town. The castle was first built in mid 1054 by Alberto Este, all from the Saxon tribe. Within the ancient walls is the garden and the castello Carrarese, which was built in 14th century and has 12 crenellated towers. The castle garden was closed for clean up of giardino event when we were there, so also no entry to castello. The archeological museo (called Museo Atestino for the original name of the town) is in the Palazzo Mocenigo, now all modernized to not recognize the antiquty of it all. It is a medium sized display and some Roman pieces along with finds form the local area. Entry is 3 Euro and open 9-8:00PM daily. There is glorious giardino event every last week in April, celebrating wine and roses

3 more images

The town is only 10,000 people and they work in mainly the trade of ham processing and old type furniture building. The town was a key point for defenses even back to Roman times. The Marchesi d'Este feudal lords had control after defeating Ezzelino da Romano. He had bult castello San Zeno in the 1200's into the fortified walls. the walls are 15-17 meters high and run 2 kilometers with 24 towers to defend and only two gate entrances. The walls were further fortified by the Carresi family in the 1300's, when Padova then had control of the territory. Venice took control from 1405-1797 and stablized the town and area.
On Sundays the Biblioteca and museum is closed to visitors. There is a small Roman artifact section donw under by the gate entrance. The Palazzo Foratti is occupied by business and law offices. It has been restored and the Byzatine style windows still come through

4 more images

Originally built in 1518 bu Giacomo Badoer, it was restored. In 1711 the gardens were added by Bernadino Badoer. Over the years ownership to many people/groups, but was owned a long time by Carlo DeChantal family. It became a hospital in 1945 for the Germans, and used by also as a quarters for its luxury and space. Ulderico Fatteoretto purchased after WWI. For 15 years starting in 1960, the son, Luiginno, began assembling a collection of antiques and artifacts than span from 1500's to early 1900's. The collection is over 30,000 items. It includes many farm equipment items, tools from 1800-early 1900's, clock making, musical instruments, shoe, hat and dress making equipments, and many Napoleonic era artifacts and carriages.
Researching the history and reason for many of these villas before visiting the area assists in knowing which ones can be visited, and which are better than others. There are over about 10 villas that can be toured along the Riveria Brenta. Architects such as Palladio, Scamozzi, Preti and other well known names of the era designed these villas. Most were built between 1600-1750.
Take advantage of the tours on Sundays. This villa is to be open Sundays only at 3:00, 4:30 and 6:00 Pm guided tours. That is when most are open and a discount of 2 Euro is offered for 3 villas on the tour circuit called Dimore & Dintorni.

3 more images

The Seriman family constructed in late 1700's and it sold to the Widmans in mid 1800's. Seriman's were of Persian origin and traded in commerce from the 1600's in the area. The Widmann's refurbished the villa into rococo style. The compound changed hands many times in 1800's, and ended back in Widman ownership in 1946. It became a property owned by the Province of Venice after 1970. Frescoes reach two floors, and the main hall is ringed by a rail surrounding the floor.