September 21, 2024–
Today, we chose to explore the historic part of Padua, Italy. Similar to Ravenna, Padua has UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Whereas Ravenna was known for mosaics, Padua is known for frescoes. Giotto is a major name among fresco connoisseurs and those in Padua. Unfortunately, it is impossible to see everything on one trip alone, so we are grateful for what we were able to accomplish in one beautiful day! The weather was PERFECT today, which added to the wonder of what Padua had to offer!
We visited the Duomo (Cathedral). The Cathedral itself appears to be quite plain inside compared to many other Cathedrals we have seen. It is attached to the Baptistry, but we did not go into the Baptistry itself. Too bad, because the Baptistry is a UNESCO site for frescoes. Nevertheless, it was not our main focus for today. We needed to figure out Sunday Vigil Mass times so that we could attend before the end of Saturday.
Our focus was the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua. St. Anthony is one of my favorite saints, and he was nonno’s and nonna’s, too. He has never let me down when I’ve lost something and needed to find whatever it might have been. In honor of St. Anthony, our son, Scott, was named Scott Anthony. The Basilica is HUGE and GORGEOUS! St. Anthony’s tomb is in there, as well as many relics attributed to him. Some of Giotto’s frescoes are in this Basilica. We were so very fortunate to attend Sunday vigil Mass in this phenomenal Church!
Next, we toured the Medical/Surgical School of the University of Padua. This university has different “colleges/specialties” in various parts of Padua. The importance of this Medical College is that it is in the Palazzo Bo and contains the “very first anatomical theater ever/anywhere!” This is where medical students could observe dissections of human cadavers as critical components of their anatomy classes. Galileo Galileo taught in the great lecture hall that is still in use today! He conducted some of his important/consequential experiments and research while living in Padua. Another important name of faculty in this university was Copernicus, for example. Just.WOW! When one stops to think of all of this!
Dinner was nothing truly special or particularly Padovano (native to Padua). I had a Piadina Pizza (just like a flatbread pizza, really). It is an item often in Emilia-Romagna, but it was in Padua, too. Dad had a panini with Italian charcuterie (salumi). We did share a spritz, which is something people drink in piazzas before or after dinner. For a snack a little earlier, we had fichi e noci (figs and walnuts) cake and white Torta Pazientina. Both are specialities of Padua, and both are VERY good! Apple strudels, by the way, are everywhere so far—even our B&B host baked one for our breakfast today! They are delicious for anyone who is a connoisseur/fan!
Our Travels 