Prato della Valle

Fun Facts

• • Archaeological excavations to reclaim the area for public use in the late eighteenth century revealed the remains of an ancient Roman theatre, providing the square with an unexpected link to the city's classical past.
• • During the 1990s, the square suffered from neglect, leading to a grassroots campaign by residents to clean and restore the area, a testament to how deeply the people of Padua cherish their Prato.
• • Palazzo Angeli, which overlooks the square, was once the residence of Andrea Memmo and now houses the Museum of Precinema, home to the Minici Zotti collection which showcases fascinating optical devices.
• • Prato della Valle has become a key venue for significant city events, such as the Feast of the Assumption and various New Year's celebrations, where fireworks illuminate the night sky above the green island.
• • The central island, known as the Isola Memmia, was designed by Andrea Memmo as a place for public markets and exhibitions, reflecting his vision of a space that served both commerce and leisure.
• • The square features two concentric rings of statues separated by a small canal, an architectural layout that remains one of the most distinctive features of any public square in Europe.
• • The square serves as a unique open air pantheon for the city, featuring statues of notable figures who shaped the region, including scientists like Galileo Galilei and poets such as Petrarch.
• • The square was historically known as the valley without grass because the shade of surrounding trees prevented vegetation from growing, which contrasts with the lush green island that thrives there today.
• • The stone used to carve the numerous statues lining the canals was sourced from the quarries of Vicenza, a region celebrated for its high quality building materials.
• • There are seventy eight statues currently standing on the pedestals, although the original design called for eighty eight, with several figures removed or destroyed over the centuries.