Tags
Centro Commerciale Il Sotto Salone, italy, Padova, Palace of Reason, Palazzo della Ragione, Photography, Piazza della Frutta, travel
Overlooking the Piazza della Frutta is the medieval town hall, Palazzo della Ragione.
The Palazzo della Ragione separates Piazza delle Erbe from Piazza della Frutta, the piazza which holds the daily fruit and vegetable market.
This massive building was built with one large roof over the entire building, which makes it the biggest roof in Europe that is not supported by columns. It is an Architectural wonder. The Palazzo was built in 1218 and enlarged in 1306. Until 1797 it was used as city council’s assembly hall and palace of justice.
This palazzo is, like the entire city, a symbol of the history, of the power, “Ragione” means reason in Italian, and one can imagine that locals several centuries back used this space to organize their town and settle disputes.
On the ground floor, is the Centro Commerciale Il Sotto Salone which has been in operation for nearly eight hundred years, and is the oldest commercial centre still in operation. Here you will find many various shops, including delis and artisan shops, where you can find many of the local specialties. You can buy fresh hand-made pasta, fresh fish from the fish market, a selection of specialty cheeses, selection of home-made sausages, high quality meats, a good selection of Prosciutto, and specialty meats from an equine butcher, coffee from a coffee market plus more. Today there are more than fifty small shops, offering quality food products, wine bars, bars and gift shops.
The upper floor, called Il Salone is a vast hall, one of the largest medieval halls of the world. The frescoes decorating this grand hall can overwhelm you. The ticket office provides a description of the decorations to guide the visit, but it is the overall massive scale of the space that leaves a lasting impression
This is one of the many squares in Padova but this one is stunning. The architecture is incredible and well worth doing some research before visiting to understand its history.
There are plenty of cafes around to sit and admire the architecture and the markets and once again to watch the world go by.
Coffee and a cornetto here was very nice
Wow that looks so amazing thanks Lyn xxx
It is a great place to spend time Donna. xx
Impressive indeed!
It really is
Wish I am there :)
Me too. Thanks for your comment
Nice article Lyn. Thank you. An interesting aspect to Padova is the relationship between the people of Padova and their neighbours in Venice. There was considerable rivalry between the two cities. I wonder if the Palazzo Ragione was partly built to out-do the Venetians. Certainly the Venetians do not have such an enormous market place and meeting area. Fascinating.
I tend to agree that would be the case cause so much of Italy’s history is about the rivalry between cities and towns. I am always fascinated by the size of these buildings and the engineering skills that these people had many hundreds of years ago. Thanks for your comment.
That roof sounds amazing
To me it is amazing that they could build something so large many hundreds of years ago. I read Pillars of the Earth not so long ago as I am so fascinated by these huge ancient buildings
Good information on Padova. I never experienced when I visited. Thanks Lyn
Yes, Gail, I had a few days there so I was able to see lots.
Looks incredible!
It is Mary
Thanks for the lovely read and gorgeous photos. Would love to see it. Xx
Thanks Leah, so pleased that you enjoyed it xxx
What a lovely set of photos! Really gives you the impression of how it must feel to be there! :)
Thank you Rose. Italy has so many fabulous places to visit. Thanks for your comment Lyn
Hi Lyn, Have you been to Moltrasio in the Lake Como area. It is on the western bank. We have found a lovely looking place to stay but haven’t booked as yet because we thought we would get some advice from you if you have been around the Lake Como area. I have tried to telephone your mobile but I’m not sure if I have your latest number. Would you mind contacting me on 0439 540 926. Thanks Lyn. Hope all is well with you. Janelle xx
Hi Janelle. Am in Halong Bay Vietnam. I emailed you. Not sure if you got the emails. I am a big fan of Lago Maggiore. Have not been to Como. We can talk when I get home in March x