Padua

From Ravenna we drove north on the blue roads, our goal to see Padua and specifically its Arena Chapel, and then to see Venice from a presumed camperspot in Padua. When we arrived in Padua the camperstops seemed already spoken for, by the weekly market and also by a carnival just being set up. We did a little quick research and decided to head for Treviso, to stay at the free camperstop there, and to take the bus or train into Padua and also Venice. This actually worked, although the commute times were a little more than hoped for. Treviso is a beautiful little city in which to hang-out.

The enormous Palazzo della Ragione in Padua; town hall type place

Originally the interior was adorned with Giotto frescoes, but a fire in the 14th 
century destroyed them

Completely functional solar clock; no moving parts

Italians are really into their aged balsamic vinegars; from the 
market nearby the Palazzo, this 3 ounce bottle of 100 year 
old Grand Reserva Oro can be yours for only 225 euros
(about $310); Vicki bought a small bottle of 100-month old, 
surely the most expensive vinegar we ever have bought; not 
for fish and chips, she has cautioned me

Padua street scene

First full-sized  bronze equestrian statue done in the west
after the fall of Rome, Donatello's Gattmelata; outside
St. Anthony's duomo

Across the street, "Donatello slept here"

Inside St. Anthony's, at the shrine, some incredible reliefs depicting the saint's 
many miralces; here, he prevents a man from killing his wife; well, he did kill 
her, but St. Anthony resuscitated her, as he apparently did with many others; 
as a miralce worker, Jesus was a veritable piker compared with your average 
medieval saint

It's a beautiful church, but too dark for the forbidden fotos

Across the nave, looking at the St. Anthony shrine; this is the first church we 
have been in where the pilgrims/faithful clearly out-numbered the tourists; yes, 
including St. Peter's too

Just a peek at the altar, adorned by six Donatello bronzes

St. Anthony's Duomo, Padua; another Byzantine monstrosity on the outside; 
beautiful on the inside

Much interesting and old architecture in this town