Aug 30 - Treviso to Padua (Padova)

 Aug 30 - Treviso to Padua (Padova)

On arrival in Treviso our host Marco had given us some advice about the local fish market being worth a visit. So, because we were leaving today and we hadn’t been there yet, we were up bright and early to visit the ‘Isola della Pescheria’ (it’s an island on one of the canals) before catching the train to Padova.  However, it was not only before catching the train, it was also before 90% of the fishmongers had turned up for work as well! 😊


On arrival in Padova we were able to check our bags in early and so we then took off for a wander around town.  Walking around some lovely Piazzas we came across a food market, and it was just too good to resist, so a stop for roast pork baguettes and Prosecco was the order of the day, all very nice!. 

On the move after lunch we visited the Palazzo Delia Ragione, well known for its frescoes. Built in 1218, and over 80 metres in length, the upper hallway here was used as the courts of justice and this is where these frescos are painted.  This building has also got a covered balcony which was a great spot to watch the piazza and market below. 


This evening we visited our main reason for coming to Padova, the Scrovegni Chapel.  This chapel contains a magnificent fresco cycle by Giotto, completed in about 1305, and was recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The frescoes themselves show scenes and events from the lives of Jesus and Mary while the end wall in the chapel shows the Last Judgement, with the good going to heaven and the bad being tormented by some very unpleasant looking devils! 😇  Considering the age of the frescoes the colours are still unbelievably vivid making the whole chapel just a magnificent sight. 





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