To - Padua
Distance - 39km
Time - 3 hours
Total - 4071km
A quick tidy of the flat and packing up to leave. We waited in some shade near the bus stop and then went to a restaurant for a last taste of Italy for R & J, we had a pudding of Semifredo del Zabaglione (what a great name for a pudding). They caught a bus to the airport after 1pm and I started to ride in the midday sun.
The most difficult parts of the rides are generally on the way out of towns and the way in. I kept having to stop and check the iPad map to make sure I was going he right way. I joined the River Breta (I keep calling it Bruchetta by mistake). The river goes between Mestre and Padua and there are plenty of grand villas along the way. Some of the villas are dilapidated and some are well maintained. Thankfully it was flat again so I didn't get too hot, in future I will try and cycle mainly in the morning.
The town is called Padua but it is often called Padova! I'm not sure why, I asked the man at the hostel when I arrived and he said that it was definitely Padua and Padova was wrong. Anyway, Padua is the setting for Shakespeare's play 'Taming of the Shrew', its my favourite! Perhaps that's because it's one of the few plays where the man dominates the woman! So I've 'come to wive it wealthily in Padua', but don't tell Janice!
I was talking to someone the other day about getting most pleasure from seeing fantastic sights when I don't particularly expect it. My entrance into Padua was just an example of this. The piazza with San Antonio Basillica is wonderful as is the church itself. It is beautiful and ornate with several cloister areas and even better it is quiet when compared to anything in Venice. I also went to the Basillica of Santa Giustina which is massive and wonderfully cool.
The hostel seems OK and its well placed in the city centre. I had a cycle round the centre and it is full of lovely buildings, churches and piazzas. There is a nice evening buzz from the cafes. I haven't eaten out tonight. I think I have been eating too much over the last few days so I am clearing myself out a bit....and no alcohol!
Some of the things I have gleaned about Padua is that it claims to be the oldest city in Northern Italy. It has had a turbulent time, being invaded by the Huns and then the Goths and then to cap it all they were taken over by the Lombards (and we know what that means!). They were also ruled by the Venetians, the Austrians and by Napoleons too! The university here is one of the oldest in the world and among its alumni are Galileo and Casanova (I don't think they took the same subject, Galileo took Science and Casanova did Anatomy!).
I've just been texted that R & J have got back safe so that's always a relief.
Tomorrow is a longer ride to Ferrara but hopefully and earlier start will help in the heat.
Photo 1, Last meal before going our different ways.
Photo 2, Sights on the route along the River Breta.
Photo 3, Villas along the way.
Photo 4, Old bell tower.
Photo 5, Grand Villa.
Photo 6, San Antonio's Basillica (sorry about the scaffolding), the statue of the man on the horse was done by Donatello.
Photo 7, Inside the Basillica.
Photo 8, Donatello's house. I thought he was Don Nutella who started the Nutella spread but apparently he's a sculptor.
Photo 9, Pratto della Valle.
Photo 10, Santa Giustina
Photo 11, Palazzio della Ragione.
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