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Padua Walking tour with TM, including inside visit of the Basilica of San Antonio
· This is a half-day excursion – you can be flexible with your timing according to the wishes of your group. You might want to have lunch in Padua, which offers more possibilities than Abano.
Abano – Padua 15 km 30 mins
On leaving the Padua ring road, follow signs to the Basilica del Santo, which will bring you to the parking area for coaches at Prato della Valle in the centre of town. From here, walk with the group diagonally across the huge oval-shaped square and take the street to your right, which leads to the Basilica S Antonio – a ten-minute walk.
Point out the statue of Gattamelata, make a rendezvous and leave them free to visit the basilica on their own. The saint’s tomb is halfway down, on the left. Continue to the high altar to see the relics (including Saint Anthony’s tongue). There are toilets in the cloisters, to the right of the basilica, cafes on the square and numerous religious gift stalls.
Meet the group again and, before continuing, fix a rendezvous time for departure from the Basilica.
Walk down via del Santo, turn left into the via San Francesco and walk, past the main building of the University to the Piazza dell’Erbe. Ahead of you is the Palazzo della Ragione. Turn right into the Piazza della Frutta and right again, past the 13th century tower of the Palazzo Comunale, down via Oberdan, which leads you to the famous Caffè Pedrocchi. Give free time. (Note that it will not be possible to visit the Scrovegni Chapel, which requires prior reservation).
Meet the group again at the Basilica, walk them back to the bus and return to Abano.
FACTS AND FREE TIME
Churches, Museums and Sights
Basilica del Santo (St Anthony). For the tomb and relics of St Anthony.
Scuola del Santo and Oratorio di San Giorgio. Contains five excellent frescoes and the earliest documented painting by Titian.
Duomo and Baptistery. One of the most compete 14th century fresco cycles in Italy.
Palazzo del Bo (University). A 16th century building housing the famous Teatro Anatomico.
Palazzo della Ragione. The law courts, with Europe’s largest undivided medieval hall and 333 astrological fresco panels.
Museo Civico agli Eremitani. The collection includes archeological items, coins and paintings of the Venetian school.
The Eremitani Church. With frescoes by Mantegna.
The Scrovegni Chapel. World famous frescoes by Giotto. Unless you already have a reservation, it is impossible to visit as a group. Individuals might want to try their luck, in the hope of last minute cancellations.
Cafes and Shopping
Piazza dell’Erbe is the centre of town, with a daily fruit and vegetable market except on Sundays. Fashion shops and bookstores are to be found in the streets leading off the square.
Piazza dei Signori is borded by arcades which house small speciality shops, cafes and wine bars.
Caffe Pedrocchi, on via Oberdan, has been a famous meeting place for students and intellectuals since 1831.