Disclaimer: Venice is really close....
From the railway station there is a continuous stream of trains to and from Venice: the trip is about 20 minutes if you look for Regionale Veloce (RV) trains, usually starting from platforms 2 and 5. Spending and entire or at least half day in Venice is therefore an intriguing option, especially considering this is not high touristic season, and the city is less crowded than usual.
...however, Padova offers some nice surprises too!
Staying within walking distance from the school venue and almost all hotels, Padova historical downtown has several interesting sites to visit. Most of the sites are open until 7 pm, with the last entrance usually possible until 6 pm. As booking is required, feel free to ask the school staff for support.
Main sites are indicated in the school area map.
Cappella degli Scrovegli (UNESCO World Heritage)
The small Cappella degli Scrovegni hosts a masterpiece fresco cycle painted by Giotto around 1303-1305. Booking is strictly mandatory to visit the chapel: if you need help to book a private visit, we will be glad to help!
Palazzo della Ragione
82 meters long and 27 wide, the Palazzo della Ragione (Wisdom Palace), the ancient seat of the city court, is among the biggest suspended hall in Europe. Originally built in 1218, the main hall was realized in 1306 by joining three neighborhood rooms and building the new, reverse keel shaped dome. It can be visited just after the school
Teatro Anatomico
Dating from the 16th century is the world’s first permanent anatomical theatre. It was the anatomist Girolamo Fabrici D’Acquapendente who took the initiative of having a permanent anatomical theatre built. It was inaugurated in 1595 and remained in use until 1872.
Battistero del Duomo (UNESCO World Heritage)
The Cathedral baptistery is a building of worship located next to the Cathedral of Padua. It preserves inside one of the most important fresco cycles of the 14th century, a masterpiece by Giusto de Menabuoi. Note: last entrance is 5:30 pm.
Orto Botanico
Established around 1545, the "Horto medicinale" was drawn as a square within a circle, divided into four smaller squares by two main intersecting paths, and in 1552 the enclosing wall was added.
Basilica di San Antonio
Dating from 13th century, with its domes and cloisters, the San Antonio Basilica is the landmark church of Padova, visited by more than 6 million pilgrims each years.
Prato della Valle
One of the largest European squares, it sits between Basilica di San Antonio and the Basilica di Santa Giustina. Among the many statues bordering the channel, you can find Galileo Galiei, Giovanni Poleni, Filippo Salviati and Antonio Canova.
