Our region, at the feet of the charming Euganean Hills, is the frame of many architectural beauties, castles, villa, small medieval villages.
We wish to share with you 5 ideas for 5 beautiful destinations only few minutes from our Hotel Petrarca Terme.
Catajo Castle
At 4,7 km far from our hotel.
Immerse yourself in a fascinating journey through time in a magical world of history, mystery, art and colors, to discover the ancient splendor of one of the most important Italian palaces.
The building is majestic, with a long driveway leading to the Cortile dei Giganti (Giants’ Courtyard).
This space was used by the Obizzi family for theatrical performances, tournaments and re-enactments of naval battles, since the lower part of the courtyard could be filled with water.
Among the different fountains of the villa, the most spectacular is the Elephant Fountain, located inside a cave carved into the rock embellished by the sculpture depicting the animal.
A staircase, that could be climbed on horseback, allows the access to the main floor and to the rooms, where it is possible to admire wonderful self-celebrating frescoes of the Obizzi family.
We also suggest you to have a walk on the huge park among ancient trees and around the small lake from which you can admire the entire complex.
Visiting information
- Sunday 9 – 16 – 23 – 30 May from 10.00 to 19.00
- Saturday 8 and 15 May from 14.00 to 19.00
San Pelagio Castle, the Air and Space Museum and its historical park
At 5,4 km from our hotel.
Through thematic sections, the museum of Flights retraces the main stages of the evolution of the aircrafts that led man to discover the sky and space.
In the ancient granaries, cellars and residential rooms you can learn the stories of mythical flights and visionary scientists; hot air balloons and dirigibles, airplanes, seaplanes and spacecraft are exhibited today.
The Castle of San Pelagio is settled in a wonderful three-hectare park, included in the circuit of the Great Italian Gardens.
During your visit, you can breathe the scent of a thousand roses in the Representation Garden, between the two wings of the villa; visit the Secret Garden and its treasures; explore the Labyrinths and stroll along the avenue of centuries-old hornbeams and around the romantic lake, admiring the original specimens of flying vehicles.
Visiting hours:
- Tuesday 10.00-13.00 and 14.30-18.30
- Thursday 14.30-18.30
- Friday 14.30-18.30
- Saturday 10.00-13.00 and 14.30-18.30
- Sunday and on holidays 10.00-19.00 with guided tour on the rooms of the famous Italian poet D’Annunzio at 14.30, 16.00 and 17.30
Villa dei Vescovi
At 6,6 km from our hotel.
Villa dei Vescovi stands out on a small hill of the Euganean Hills, behind it is protected by the hills, in front of it the countryside and then the city stretches out.
It is an important monument in the panorama of Venetian villas, which introduces a taste for classicism and Roman Renaissance.
The conception of the work was entrusted in the early 1500s to the nobleman Alvise Cornaro by the Bishop of Padua, who here identified the headquarters for an intellectual circle gathered around the value of the landscape and its role as a stimulus to reflections and lofty thoughts.
We invite you to enjoy Villa dei Vescovi by taking the time to spend a day of creative idleness walking among the various rooms, among the vineyards on the gentle slope to the park pond, savoring the benefits of its soothing atmosphere.
Visiting information:
Villa dei Vescovi is open to the public as follows:
- From 29 April to 13 June: from Friday to Sunday, from 10.00 to 18.00
- From 14 June to 15 August: Friday 10.00-22.00, Saturday 10.00-23.00 and on Sunday 10.00-19.00
- From 16 August to 30 September: from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10.00 to 18.00
- From 1 October to 8 December, from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10.00 to 17.00
- Reservation is required. On Saturdays and Sundays booking are required within 24 hours.
The Monumental Garden of Villa Barbarigo in Valsanzibio
At 9,3 km from our hotel.
This exceptional example of baroque gardens consists of more than 60 statues which were engraved in Istria stone. There are also many other different minor sculptures that integrate into a world of architecture, streams, waterfalls, fountains, water games and fish ponds; all positioned among hundreds of different trees and plants, over an area of more than 10 hectares.
The entire monumental complex represents the itinerary of salvation, where the centuries-old Boxwood Labyrinth, the symbolic Hermit’s Grotto, the Rabbit Island and the Monument to Time accompany the visitors along this journey.
Visiting information:
The garden is open for independent visits, every day from the last weekend of February to the second weekend of December, from 10.00 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to sunset (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10 to sunset non-stop).
Cini Castle in Monselice
At 13,4 km from our hotel.
At the foot of the Colle della Rocca the Castel Cine stands as an architectural complex which groups together different types of buildings.
Between the 11th century and the sixteenth century the castle was a stately home, a defensive tower until it became a Venetian villa.
We recommend a walk along the paved road that leads to the 7 churches and from which you can enjoy a pleasant view of the historic center.
This leads to the architectural complex called Villa Duodo; to the left you can admire a large stone staircase from the 1600s.
Visiting information to the castle:
Visit are upon reservation, from Monday to Friday, from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 16.00.