Italy: Padua

Padua is one of Italy’s oldest cities, dating back to at least the 4th century BC. It was a major center in Roman times and later during the Renaissance. Loads and loads of historic buildings in the city core surrounding large squares like Piazza dei Signori, Piazza Cavour, Piazza Garibaldi, Piazza delle Erbe, and more. Also right in the heart of the city is the Padua Cathedral with a baptistery displaying 14th century frescos. A little further are Byzantine Basilica di Sant’Antonio and Scrovegni Chapel (more frescoes). Padua is also famous for its university, one of the world’s oldest universities, founded all the way back in 1222. Galileo Galilei taught here and the university’s Orto Botqnico botanical gardens are the oldest in the world, established in 1545.