Perhaps better known as the city of Saint Anthony, Padova is one of the most important art cities in Italy, with its 3000 years of history. Patavium (the Latin name of Padova), the most important centre of the Venetians, became one of the most prosperous cities of the Roman empire already in the fourth century B.C. In the 12th century Padova was a free municipality: in the two following centuries it grew rapidly, and under the lordship of the house of Cararresi (1338-1405) it reached the apex of its political power, dominating a large part of the central Venetian region. This period was characterised by an extraordinary religious, economical and cultural fervour, which has left indelible marks on the city: the Medieval town walls, the large civil and religious buildings, above all the Medieval Basilica of the Saint, commenced in 1232, and the creation of the second University in Italy (1222).

The artistic scene is dominated by the figure of Giotto, who painted his masterpiece, the Cappella degli Scrovegni, in Padova. In 1405 the town was annexed to the mainland ruled by Venezia, but it retained its artistic primacy until the middle of the fifteenth century thanks to Donatello and Mantegna. In the sixteenth century, under the government of the Serenissima, Padova underwent a significant revival. The University enjoyed a period of great splendour: Galileo Galilei taught there, and Europe's first botanical garden and anatomy theatre were opened.

Also the surrounding area vaunts vast treasures in terms of art, nature and culture, that are nevertheless not very well known. It is sufficient to mention the luxuriant flora of the Euganei Hills, the numerous villas and castles distributed throughout the territory, the sanctuaries, monasteries, churches built by monastic orders and the inspiring places of worship, the Medieval walled cities (Monselice, Este, Montagnana, Cittadella), the rivers, the large farmhouses.

And if Padova means Saint Anthony, the baths in the Euganee area (and in particular Abano and Montegrotto) are synonymous - for hundreds of thousands of persons from every country in the world - with well-being, health and body care.