Nice day for a stroll through Padova

Sunday was a very nice day for a stroll through Padova. I figure that I have to take advantage of the nice weather and (sort of) free time before classes start and the weather gets cold and rainy. The first part of my walk took me down Via Ospedale Civile (Hospital is on this road). A picture of the street is shown above.

To the left is a picture of Via San Fancesco.


I found a bunch of tourist shops and quite a few restaurants on Via Del Santo, which leads off of the Piazza in front of St. Anthony's Basilica or as the locals call it, Il Santo. I think that the old columns that hold up two or three stories above the sidewalk are very interesting. Who knows how old they are.





St. Anthony's Basilica in Padova is where St. Anthony's tomb is. It is a very beautiful marble tomb elaborately carved and decorated. Also there are relics from the Saint including his tongue. People come from around the world to see this church and pray to St. Anthony. There is a place next to his tomb where people put up pictures and boxes to put prayers in. On Sunday there are Masses every hour and a constant stream of people circulating around the church to the tomb and relics. St. Anthony's is usually the first stop for those on a pilgrimage from Eastern Europe. As you can see from the picture above, there are lots of little carts set up each day in the Piazza outside the church where people can buy candles and other religious tokens, icons, etc. Inside they don't let you take pictures so I can't show you any. You will have to come visit to see for yourself.



Inside St. Anthony's Basilica complex there are a number of courtyards or cloisters with beautiful flowers, trees, and statues. In one there are picnic tables were people were having lunch and students were studying.


Only about a block away are the Botanical Gardens. I didn't go in because you have to pay but I will definitely try to go soon. I think that they are only open through the end of October. The price is very reasonable for students, 1 Euro.


Next I made my way to the Prato della Valle. This is a huge elliptical square, in fact the largest in Italy, near Il Santo and another very large church, Basilica of Santa Giustina.


On the weekends there is a market all around the track on the outside with different themes on different days. Yesterday there were mostly antiques being sold... furniture, rugs, lamps, silverware, dishes, clothing, etc.

The area is very busy with shoppers and it is difficult to walk anywhere very quickly. There are also African guys who lay out sheets with purses and toys to sell. I believe that it is illegal to do this but there doesn't seem to be very many police trying to shoo them away.



On the inner part of the square there is a moat with pretty white statues all around and bridges going to the center. There was a band setting up a stage for a concert later that night but I didn't stick around long enough to find out more. At the very center of the ellipse is a fountain with benches all round for people to sit. Many people come and have picnics on the grass or just hang out with friends.

On my way back to the dorm I walked by Il Santo again. I had to take a few more pictures and note that there is a sightseeing bus the goes around all of the major sites in Padova.