Prato della Valle

Prato della Valle is an elliptical square in Padua with a central grassy island surrounded by a water channel. Along the channel stand stone figures on pedestals connected by low balustrades that form a continuous gallery.

The marshy meadow was drained starting in 1775 and reshaped following a plan inspired by Roman models. During construction, remains of an ancient theater emerged that now lie beneath the current ground level.

The name recalls Andrea Memmo, who led the project in the 18th century and named the central island after himself. Today locals gather here in the evenings to walk along the water channel or sit on the low steps at the edge.

The square is freely accessible at all times and works well for walks in the morning or late afternoon when light brings out the statues. On market days part of the space is occupied by stalls, which may limit movement through certain areas.

The figures represent people connected to Padua, yet some pedestals remain empty to this day. Originally more statues were planned, but not all were completed or installed.