If you have found a villa rental in Padua and are exploring the city, it is unlikely that you will miss Prato della Valle, or “Prà deła Vałe” in Venetian, a 90,000sqm elliptical piazza in the city and the largest square in Italy as it is so vast and exceptionally beautiful. However, just in case, we're warning you: don't miss out on this stunning part of the city or you'll be kicking yourself later!
Before 1635, the area now occupied by Prato della Valle was actually a large and unpleasant swampy terrain, just south of the old city walls. Then, in 1636, a group of Venetian and Veneto public figures and nobles decided to finance the construction of a temporary, but lavish, theatre for mock battles on horseback on the site.
Before 1635, the area now occupied by Prato della Valle was actually a large and unpleasant swampy terrain, just south of the old city walls. Then, in 1636, a group of Venetian and Veneto public figures and nobles decided to finance the construction of a temporary, but lavish, theatre for mock battles on horseback on the site.
Then the square came into the possession of the monks of Santa Giustina before becoming public property of the city of Padua in 1767. In 1775, Andrea Memmo, one of the many figures commemorated by a statue in the square, decided to reclaim and utterly reimagine the space. His plans were never completely seen to fruition but the resulting space is extraordinary all the same; a central elliptical island, called Memmia island, surrounded by a small channel, the banks of which is lined by a double ring of statues.
Known as Il Prato by locals, this grassy area, with its water features, grass, trees and the 78 statues of famous figures by various artists is an immensely important cultural and social hub that is close to their hearts. People gather to walk, attend events and simply chat in the area and on long summer nights adults and teenagers can be seen socialising in groups until late into the night. Every New Year's Day, and during the Feast of the Annunciation in mid August, parties with music and fireworks take place in the square, on Saturdays there is a huge market that occupies almost the entire square and in June it is home to an annual theme park.
Integral to local life, it is a space to sit back and take the unique flavour of Padua in when you visit.
Known as Il Prato by locals, this grassy area, with its water features, grass, trees and the 78 statues of famous figures by various artists is an immensely important cultural and social hub that is close to their hearts. People gather to walk, attend events and simply chat in the area and on long summer nights adults and teenagers can be seen socialising in groups until late into the night. Every New Year's Day, and during the Feast of the Annunciation in mid August, parties with music and fireworks take place in the square, on Saturdays there is a huge market that occupies almost the entire square and in June it is home to an annual theme park.
Integral to local life, it is a space to sit back and take the unique flavour of Padua in when you visit.
Photo credits
Picture 1: Pablo M Bravo / CC BY-ND 2.0
Picture 1: Pablo M Bravo / CC BY-ND 2.0