Padua is a vibrant Italian city where history, culture, and innovation come together. Home to 207,844 inhabitants and spread across 93 km², it stands as one of Veneto’s main urban centres and a lively provincial capital. Nestled just a short distance from Venice and Treviso, Padua sits at the heart of a dynamic metropolitan triangle that fuels nearly 40% of the Region’s added value.
Visitors immediately feel the city’s welcoming spirit. Its roots lie in a rich commercial tradition – thriving markets, artisan workshops, and historic industries – but Padua today is also a hub of energetic small and medium enterprises, from design to metalworking, chemistry to textiles. This blend of heritage and creativity gives the city its unique entrepreneurial soul.
Culturally, Padua is an open air masterpiece. Its UNESCO site “Padova Urbs Picta”, awarded in 2021, showcases extraordinary 14th century fresco cycles that turn the city into a living museum. Padua’s identity is also shaped by its prestigious university, one of the oldest in the world, which brings thousands of international students and a youthful energy to its streets and squares. The Botanical Garden, the world’s oldest of its kind and UNESCO listed since 1997, adds another gem to the city’s heritage.
What truly makes Padua special is its forward looking spirit. A dense ecosystem of innovators, researchers, startups, and institutions collaborates around the Municipality, the University, and the Chamber of Commerce. This dynamic network has helped Padua achieve one of the highest concentrations of ICT companies in Northeast Italy. In 2023, the city was named Europe’s second Innovation Capital, confirming its role as a place where ideas flourish. Padua is a city that surprises: ancient yet modern, intimate yet internationally connected, deeply rooted yet constantly evolving.
A place to live, study, create, and fall in love with.
