The location of Padua is only known to Europe's heritage buffs. This small Italian town of 92 km2 is the administrative centre of Padua, in the Veneto region (Venice). At 10 km away are the Euganean Hills, and 20 km away is the lagoon of Venice. Its territory is punctuated by canals connecting the Bacchiglione and Brenta rivers.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the first inhabitants of this area lived here as early as the 11th and 10th centuries B.C. But the history of the founding of the city is linked to the name of Prince Antenor, who found refuge here after the fall of Troy, according to Virgil's Aeneid. Although the legend is not considered historically accurate to this day, the belief in it has been held for centuries.
As early as 1274, the remains of a man were found in the area, along with gold coins and a sword. It was then discovered that the remains belonged to the Prince Antenor, who founded Padua. The finds were therefore buried in a specially constructed tomb, which is now an object of attraction in the city.
By the 2nd century B.C. the settlement had already become a wealthy city, whose main income came from the sale of wool products. Since then, Padua has been destroyed and burned several times, but has been constantly reborn. By the twelfth century, the city was officially granted municipal government, and as early as 1222, the famous University of Padua was founded there. But even this did not help the peaceful life of the city. It was constantly the victim of internecine wars and by 1405 had lost its privileged position, becoming part of the Republic of Venice.
After its fall, the city was conquered again, changed power, rebelled and again lost the privileges it had gained. A central role in these events was played by the local university, whose student movement participated in, and sometimes initiated, various mass political movements. After World War II, Padua was even awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valour - students had organised a powerful partisan movement against the Nazis during the war.
Today Padua has a population of over 206,000. The euro is in circulation in the area.
