Padua, University city in Veneto, Italy
Padua is a city in northeast Italy that stretches along the Bacchiglione River, roughly 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Venice. The old town is marked by canals, medieval towers and wide squares linked by narrow lanes.
The city became an important center of learning in 1222 when the university was founded, later hosting Galileo Galilei as a professor. Over the centuries, it maintained its role as a place of thought and science.
The university draws students from around the world who gather in cafés and bookshops near Piazza delle Erbe. On weekends, the city transforms into a lively market where local produce and fresh food from the surrounding countryside are sold.
The train station links the city to high-speed lines heading to Milan, Rome and Venice, which is less than 30 minutes away. The center is compact and easy to explore on foot or by bicycle.
Under the colonnades of Prato della Valle, one of Europe's largest squares, stand 78 statues of famous figures from the city's past. Nearby is the world's oldest botanical garden, which has been growing medicinal plants since the 16th century.
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