Padova
When walking through Padua, you could be stepping on the same stones on which great artists and scientists walked.
Your journey begins in the fourteenth century, following in the footsteps of Giotto and other maestros who left us masterpieces of medieval art in an extended museum, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed as the Fourteenth Century Fresco Cycles of Padua.
But Padua boasts another prestigious UNESCO recognition: the Botanical Garden, the oldest university garden in the world still in its original location. Founded in 1545 for the study of medicinal plants, today it is home to rare species and continues its scientific research.
Speaking of science, your journey takes you deep into the Renaissance, to when Galileo Galilei taught at the University of Padua and conducted revolutionary research. Visiting Palazzo Bo, you can admire his desk, the Anatomical Theatre, the lecture hall and the Scala della Sapienza.
If science has left a deep mark, spirituality is no exception. The Basilica of Sant'Antonio, with its imposing architecture and the works of art it houses, is one of the most visited places of worship in the world: every year, pilgrims from near and far come here to pay homage to the relics of the saint.
After this journey through time, a break in Prato della Valle is a must. This vast garden, among the largest in Europe, welcomes you with its spectacular ellipse of statues. If you prefer a lively atmosphere, choose one of the historic cafes between Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza della Frutta and Piazza dei Signori, surrounded by elegant monuments such as the Palazzo della Ragione and the Clock Tower. But in addition to nourishing the eyes, it is also important to satisfy the palate: amid these art treasures, the scene is completed by the local delicacies, fresh products and irresistible aromas of the Mercato Sotto il Salone, the oldest covered market in Europe.
Don’t think that there is only Padua: around the city there are villages and walled cities, each with their own stories, traditions and food and wine specialities to discover.
In this pool of learning in which Padua immerses you, there is also room for relaxation: the Euganean Baths, among the oldest in Europe, are an opportunity to pamper yourself and take care of your mind and body. The setting for this wellness corner is the Euganean Hills, a mosaic of panoramic paths, historic villages and vineyards, perfect for outdoor activities and discovering the flavours of this land.
Ever since the past, Padua and Venice have been joined thanks to a waterway, crossed by merchants and aristocrats over the centuries. Today that bond still survives along the Riviera del Brenta, where some of the splendid Venetian Villas stand, sentinels that testify to the golden age of the Serenissima Republic, with stories of ancient nobility and the absolute genius of Andrea Palladio.
Belluno
Here, the border between city and nature is imperceptible: the majestic peaks of the Dolomites surround the historic centre of Belluno, where art and architecture relate a past intertwined with Venice. Since 1404, under the Serenissima (Republic of Venice), the city still retains details that reveal its Venetian influence, such as the elegant facades of the palaces or Borgo Piave, an ancient river port from which the rafts loaded with timber for the shipyards departed.
Crossing the Piave River, you enter the historic centre of the city. Piazza Duomo awaits you here, surrounded by the Cathedral of San Martino, Palazzo dei Rettori with its clock tower and Palazzo Rosso, still the town hall today.
Palazzo Fulcis, home to the Civic Museums, houses a rich collection ranging from archaeology to modern art.
When it's time for a short break, Piazza dei Martiri welcomes you with its outdoor cafes and boutiques under the colonnades. And if you have more time, don't miss the opportunity to taste typical dishes and delicacies, such as pastìn (pork and beef sausage) and schiz (cheese)
Outside Belluno, nestled among the mountains and valleys, other villages and cities of art are a refuge for excursions and explorers in search of contact with the most unknown natural sites, adrenaline and stories that only the Belluno Dolomites can offer.
Did you know that Belluno is the only provincial capital whose municipal territory includes part of a national park? Leaving behind churches, frescoes and museums, you can admire a much older art form, sculpted by nature. The Belluno Dolomites National Park is a precious ecosystem that, starting from 412 metres, reaches an altitude of 2,565, breaking through the limits of the sky
Monte Baldo
Walled cities in the province of Belluno
There are two cities in the province of Belluno that bear the title of the Walled Cities of Veneto: Feltre with its discreet beauty and elegance and Pieve di Cadore.
Walled cities in the province of Padua
We start with Padua itself which preserves precious evidence of the city walls built starting from 1195, while the renaissance walls from the early 1500s are almost entirely preserved.
Walled cities in the province of Treviso
The route starts from Asolo, with the majestic Rocca fortress, the Castello della Regina Cornaro, the Palazzo della Ragione and the Cathedral. Castelfranco Veneto pays homage to his illustrious son, Giorgione, through the Museum bearing his name and the Cathedral with the extremely famous artwork "Madonna and Child Enthroned". Within the twelfth century walls there is also the Teatro Accademico.
Walled cities in the province of Venice
Naturally defended by the water, Venice organised the defence of the lagoon and the heart of the Serenissima Venetian Republic through monitoring the main mouth of the harbour up to the Lido, building the two opposing castles of S.Andrea (1571) and S. Nicolò (1574).
Walled cities in the province of Verona
Between the hills and lake Garda are 14 Walled Cities.
First and foremost is Verona with its Arena, one of the most significant monuments of ancient Rome, the piazza Brà, the Shakespearian Romeo and Juliet sites, the Cathedral, the Basilica di S.Zeno and the Piazza delle Erbe.