Padua Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Padua

Padova (Italian)
Pàdova (Venetian)

Comune

Città di Padova

Prato della Valle

Flag

Country

Padua (PD)

Frazioni

Altichiero, Arcella, Bassanello, Brusegana, Camin, Chiesanuova, Forcellini, Guizza, Mandria, Montà, Mortise, Paltana, Ponte di Brenta, Ponterotto, Pontevigodarzere, Sacra Famiglia, Salboro, Stanga, Terranegra, Volta Brusegana

Area

• Total

92.85 km² (35.85 sq mi)

Elevation

12 m (39 ft)

Population

(31 October 2011)

• Total

214,125

• Density

2,306.14/km² (5,972.9/sq mi)

Demonym(s)

Padovano
Patavino

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postal code

35100

Dialing code

049

Patron saint

Saint Anthony of Padua

Saint day

June 13

S. Antony's cathedral

S. Giustina's cathedral

Padua (which is Padova in Italian) is a historic city in Italy, located close to the famous city of Venice. About 210,000 people live here, making it a lively place with a rich past.

Discovering Padua's Ancient Roots
Padua's Medieval and Modern History
- Founding Italy's Second University
- Changing Hands in Padua
Images for kids
See also

Discovering Padua's Ancient Roots

Long ago, an old myth says that Padua was founded by a hero named Antenore from the city of Troja. People have lived in this area since the 4th century BC. This shows how incredibly old Padua is!

Padua Under Roman Rule

Around 215 BC, Padua became part of the powerful Roman Republic. This was a time when the Roman Empire was growing across Europe.

Challenges and Rebuilding in Padua

Padua faced tough times. In 426 AD, the city was destroyed by Attila the Hun, a famous warrior. Later, a general named Narses helped rebuild it. But then, the Lombards (also known as Langobardes) attacked and destroyed Padua a second time.

Padua Joins the Holy Roman Empire

In 774, Charles, the Great took control of Padua, bringing it under the power of the Francs. Later, the city became part of the Holy Roman Empire, a large group of lands in central Europe.

Padua's Medieval and Modern History

After some struggles with Emperor Frederic Barbarossa, Padua finally made peace in 1177. This was an important step for the city's future.

Founding Italy's Second University

A very important event happened in 1222: the second university in Italy was founded in Padua! This made the city a major center for learning and education.

Changing Hands in Padua

Over the centuries, Padua was controlled by different groups. In 1256, the Gulfs took over. Later, the powerful Republic of Venice gained control of the city. This lasted until Napoleon Bonaparte arrived and took charge.

Images for kids

Remnants of Padua's Roman amphitheatre wall
Tomb of Antenor
The unfinished façade of Padua Cathedral
Clock tower and Lion of St. Mark, symbol of the Serenissima Repubblic
Palazzo della Ragione
Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico).
Street tram in Padua
This tempera, Two Christians before the Judges, hangs in the city's Cathedral.
The apse area of Santa Sofia.
The "Gran Guardia" loggia
Prato della Valle (detail)
Loggia Amulea, as seen from Prato della Valle
Torre degli Anziani as seen from Piazza della Frutta
The Astronomical clock as seen from Piazza dei Signori