Padua & Scrovegni Chapel – Uniworld Po River Cruise Excursion
Padua & Scrovegni Chapel – Uniworld Po River Cruise Excursion
WJ Tested: Uniworld Po River Cruise – Walking Tour of Padua, Italy
Day 3: Uniworld River Countess Venetian Lagoon & Po River Cruise in Italy – Included Walking Tour of Padua, with Visit to Scrovegni Chapel to see Giotto’s Frescoes
Prato della Valle in Padua – Visiting Padua & Scrovegni Chapel – Uniworld Po River Cruise Excursion
The 30 kilometer (20 mile) drive from River Countess’ docking location in Venice to Padua was only about 45-minutes. An 8:00 am departure on this included Uniworld excursion was perfect timing in order to beat the crowds that would soon descend upon this ancient university city. Along the route from Venice to Padua, the local guide on our bus shared further interesting information with our group.
Venice – Did You Know?
- Only export is garbage
- Lagoon of Venice covers 520 sq miles and has been a UNESCO site since 1972
- The bridge across the lagoon from the mainland is 4 km long
- Since 1960 most of Venice’s population moved to the mainland (Mestre)
- Venice population: Prior to 1960 was about 110,000, now about 52,000
Upon arrival in Padua our groups set off for a walking tour with local guides to Prato della Valle, Europe’s largest square (and definitely one of the most impressive we have seen).
Prato della Valle is a 90,000 square meter elliptical square in Padua, Italy. There are 78 statues of important Padua citizens.
Next stop was to the Basilica of St. Anthony (built in the 1200s) where we spent 20 minutes viewing the interior (statues and crucifix by Donatello) and visiting the cloister.
Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua
Continuing on we strolled through the old city and saw the daily market in Piazza delle Erbe (Erbs Square). This square was founded in the 12th century and is home to the daily market which has been taking place here for more than 800 years.
The daily market in Padua at Piazza della Erbe with Palazzo della Ragione in the background.
Padua – Did You Know?
- Population of about 250,000
- 3rd largest city in the Veneto region
- Padua is home to the world’s oldest botanical gardens (UNESCO site)
- Padua has one of oldest universities in Italy
- University of Padua was founded in 1222 as a school of law and in the 16th century introduced medical studies
- University of Padua has about 60,000 students
Basilica of St. Giustina in Padoua
Travel Tip: Take time to enjoy a coffee at Caffè Pedrocchi, one of Italy’s most historic cafes.
Visiting Padua in Italy with Uniworld River Cruises
Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, Italy
Scrovengi Chapel – Did You Know?
- The chapel was commissioned by Enrico Scrovengi
- Visitors to the chapel can view a series of restored frescoes by Giotto
- The frescoes of the Virgin Mary are from approximately 1305 AD
- It is necessary to book your reservation at least 24 hours in advance – reservations are compulsory
- Visitors must sit and watch a video in a dehumidifying waiting room for 10-15 minutes before going in to see the frescoes
- The dehumidifying process is to acclimatize and not affect the frescoes
- Visitors are only permitted to be inside the chapel for 15 minutes
- Photos and video are not permitted
Giotto Frescoes in Scrovegni Chapel
Following the visit to the Scrovengi Chapel, passengers had the option of spending a few hours of free time in Padua and returning on the 3:30 pm bus. We opted to return on the 12:30 pm bus back to the River Countess, just in time for lunch and allowing a few hours to explore more of Venice before departing for Chioggia.
Remains of Padua’s Roman Amphitheatre Wall
Next… Cruising to Chioggia and Venetian Lagoon Lecture
Previously:
- WAVEJourney’s Uniworld Po River and Venetian Lagoon Review
- Uniworld River Countess Ship Facts: Ship Features and Amenities
- Embarkation in Venice – Day 1
- Explore Venice on Foot
If You Go:
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
- Uniworld Po River & the Venetian Lagoon
- Uniworld River Countess
- Scrovengi Chapel
