Padua

Fridays are free days.  No classes means a long weekend, every week!  The students typically will be taking off for a flight somewhere on Thursday afternoons, but this, their second weekend, is being spent getting their residency permits.  No “out of the country traveling” until that is accomplished. 

Page and I decided on a local train trip to nearby Padua.  Weather was predicted to be sunny and pleasant on Friday, but rather overcast and rainy on Saturday (as it is today), so off we went early in the morning.  Once there we bought a day pass for the tram and headed south to the Basilica of St. Anthony.  Friar Anthony of Padua (1195 – 1231) is buried here and construction of the church began shortly after his death.  With so much to see inside and with both an audio guide and Rick Steve’s book guide, we spent more time than expected admiring the marble reliefs around the tomb, the original chapel, the relic chapel with Anthony’s tongue, lower teeth, and vocal chords (omg!), and the outside cloisters.

Our walks lead us north and the tram dropped us off in front of the Cappella degli Scrovegni.  This 13^th Century chapel with frescoes by Giotto was stunning!  Appointment only with small groups let in every 15 minutes, this was worth the trip!  The museums, media center, and grounds added to this experience.