Carrarese Castle and Prato della Valle - Padua (PD) - Veneto
- Tuttitaly
- Jul 20
- 2 min read
Padua is a real treasure waiting to be discovered, especially on foot wandering through its parks, its squares, the beautiful buildings that fill it and the splendid churches... #tuttitaly
Padua, a city with a rich historical and artistic heritage, boasts two distinctive places that tell its millenary history: the Carrarese Castle and the Prato della Valle.
Carrarese Castle
The Carrarese Castle, built on an area that was once part of the city walls commissioned by Ezzelino III da Romano in the 13th century, testifies to the presence of feudal power in the city.
After the fall of the tyrant, the castle was remodeled by the Carraresi lords in the following century, who enriched the rooms with frescoes and checkerboard red and white paintings. Over the centuries, the building changed function several times, from a noble residence to an astronomical observatory and finally to a prison.
Thanks to recent restorations, its ancient splendor has been restored, showcasing to the public the precious 14th-century decoration and confirming itself as one of Padua's main architectural treasures.
Prato della Valle
The Prato della Valle, one of the most picturesque squares in the world with its 90,000 square meters, is a bustling crossroads of city life. Very popular among the locals, the Prato is a meeting and leisure place, perfect for strolling through the lawns, practicing sports, or simply relaxing.
The square hosts a lively weekly market and periodically cultural events and concerts that attract residents and tourists. The Prato della Valle was designed in the 18th century by Domenico Cerato, commissioned by the Venetian procurator Andrea Memo, and features the evocative Isola Memmia in the center, surrounded by a water canal fed by the Alicorno Canal.
The island is adorned with ornamental vases, obelisks, and 78 stone statues from Costozza, depicting illustrious figures related to Padua's history.
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