The city is an absolute gem and just 25 miles from Venice. While it does attract visitors, Padova is largely only for the more adventurous visitors, but those who do venture here are rewarded with a central area full of stunning architecture, history dripping from every building and Basilicas seemingly everywhere. In Prato della Valle, not only will you be bowled over by the smouldering statuary, but the sheer scale of the square which incredibly is Europe’s second largest square after Red Square in Moscow, coming in at 90,000 square metres it is obviously no wee affair! It is the jewel in Padova’s crown, one of the most jaw droppingly beautiful places I have ever seen, and on repeated visits it never fails to stir the blood and afford a tranquil place to chill.
The proximity of Venezia is obvious from the architecture and the classic learned lion symbol of the Venetian empire which also abounds further afield in Vicenza and Verona too, but in Padova we truly are in the realm of the Doge! The city has a population of circa 220,000, with a greater Metropolitan area making for around 350,000.
I first stepped off a train in Padova in June 1988, nearly thirty years ago now, but I have been back many times, and it is a city that never fails to enchant me. Combining culture with calcio was a lot easier in Padova back in the day with the old stadium in the city. While Prato della Valle is a good 30 minute walk from the railway station, (walk straight ahead as you come out of the station) but I implore any reader thinking to go to take longer if you can as the route from the station to the Prato encompasses just about all the delights of Padova. There are three amazing squares en route, Piazza Delle Erbe, similarly named to one in Verona, Piazza della Frutta and Piazza Dei Signori. All these Piazza’s offer a great variety of places for a drink or something to eat, as well amazing buildings. As a popular University seat of learning, Padova is teeming with students and youth, so if you arrive in the Prato Delle Valle at lunch time you will see hordes of people chomping lunch in the central grass area.
Two enormous and striking Basilica with endless domes become visible from the Prato with Saint Anthony’s being the pick! Evidence of Roma is alive and well in Padova too, with a well kept, if unspectacular (if judged against Verona or Roma!) Arena in tidy parklands nearby.
Getting to the Stadium
Getting to Stadio Eugeneo is not easy. It lies outside the city and doesn’t have any direct transportation links! The local bus services No.11 leaves from outside the railway station, but even that doesn’t take you right to the ground! Ask the driver to let you know when you arrive at Monte 96 stop. You will have to alight here and walk a good bit to reach the stadium! On match day you won’t be alone so follow the red and white colours! There are no bars or accommodation anywhere close either! So make sure you have had a good meal in the city before heading out there, and get yourself a bed for the night organised. Padova offers all types of accommodation at all prices, and allegedly has 230 different places to choose from!
An evening games without a car must be a nightmare! If you are here for a night game and don’t have transport, I’d arrange a taxi from the centre. Alternatively, if you see Padova fans in town before the game, don’t be shy, say hello and I am sure they will be delighted that you have travelled far to see their side, they will help you get out to the stadium! New friendships are forged by such embolden ways! Don’t forget your passport or driver’s license as you will need one or the other to get yourself a ticket out at the stadium, although if you are around in the days before tickets can be purchased in the city at one or two locations. Check Padova Calcio website ahead of looking. These “satellite” vending places can’t sell on the day of the game though. It would be a nightmare to have journeyed out to the Eugeneo without means to secure a ticket as I witnessed of 4 Germans at a Sassuolo v Sampdoria game!
Getting to Padova.
While Padova doesn’t have it’s own airport for commercial planes, you are not short of relatively close landing strips. Venice (50 km away), Verona (88 km) and Treviso (42 km) will all land you quite close. A bus from the respective airport to railway station and depending the next train, you can easily be in the city within an hour! Further afield airports in Milan or Bologna also offer more alternative flights, and while a slightly longer train ride, train tickets are not too expensive unless you want to travel on the Frecciarossa (Fast trains) when tickets are bought at very short notice.
Football Adventures with James Rendall 