The Auditorium Cesare Pollini, now known as the Auditorium Claudio Scimone, is the theatre affiliated with the music school, the Conservatorio di Musica Cesare Pollini, and dates from 1878. It can be found at Via Carlo Cassan, #17.
The Museo Storico della Terza Armata, or the Historical Museum of the Third Army, is a museum that focuses on the Third Army based in Padua, which operated between the Karst and the lower Piave, during World War I. The museum is housed in Palazzo Camerini, on Via Altinate. The palazzo was built in 1400 by the Borromeo family, but was purchased by Cardinal Pietro Bembo in 1520, for use as his private residence. At that time, it was set on the outskirts of the city, and was surrounded by parkland, none of which survives today. Since the 1930s, the palazzo has been the seat of many important military forces, as the plaque below testifies to.
A plaque on a nearby building marks the house where the Italian surgeon and academic, Francesco Marzolo, lived and died.
The Altinate San Gaetano is the Cultural Center of Padua. It hosts exhibitions, concerts, and events of all kinds. It is housed in what was at one time the city’s tribunal and, before that, the old convent belonging to the Theatine Order. This is the largest cultural center in all of Italy.
The Chiesa di San Gaetano, or the Church of Saint Cajetan, also known as the Chiesa dei Santi Simone e Giuda, dates from the 12th century, although it has gone through numerous renovations over the years. The facade is considered to be one of the most significant works by Vincenzo Scamozzi. In the niches on the sides, there are life-size statues of San Gaetano da Thiene, and Andrea Avellino. The wooden doors of the church date from the 16th century, and are highly treasured.
The Chiesa di Santa Sofia dates back to the 9th century. According to tradition, the church was founded by Saint Prosdocimo on the ruins of a temple dedicated to Apollo. Galileo Galilei’s children, Livia and Gianvincenzo, were baptized here.
Next up: We head down to the Basilica di Sant’Antonio, and continue with more of our exploration in Padua!
Note: This blog is written in English and Spanish, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any other translations that may appear. If you have enjoyed this post, please, check out our archives for more posts from Padua, as well as other Italian destinations. Grazie!