During your stay at Abano Terme, a destination that combines beauty, history and nature is Prato della Valle, the largest square in Italy and one of the largest in Europe with an area of no less than 88,620 square metres. Located in the heart of Padua, it is a place that surprises visitors with its architectural harmony and the wealth of meaning it holds.

A visionary project

In the 18th century, this area was a swampy wasteland. It was Andrea Memmo, a Venetian patrician and city superintendent, who promoted a grandiose reclamation and redevelopment project. In order to convince the population of the validity of the project, he even made a model that could demonstrate how the new square would look in a concrete way: a modern idea, almost pioneering for the time.

Work began in 1775 under the guidance of architect and engineer Domenico Cerato, with the aim of transforming the area into an elegant and functional space inspired by neoclassical taste. The result was a bold design: a huge central oval, surrounded by a canal and connected by four bridges to a vast green area, now called Memmia Island in honour of its creator.

The elliptical shape was no accident: it evoked Roman circuses and, even more profoundly, was inspired by the astronomical concept of the ellipse as planetary orbit. A symbolic reminder of the cosmic order, the cyclical nature of time and the connection between earth and sky. This choice underlined the ambition of the project: not only to redevelop, but also to give high and lasting significance to the urban space.

Water, stone and symbols

The canal surrounding the island did not just have an aesthetic function: it served to drain moisture from the ground, contributing to the sanitation of the area. The parapets and some architectural elements, such as the benches around the fountain, were made of Istrian stone, a durable and shiny material popular in the Venetian tradition.

The statues, on the other hand – 78 in total – were carved in Vicenza stone, a light-coloured, easily workable limestone from the Berici Hills. In fact, there were originally 88 statues planned: ten were never realised, but the initial plan called for an even larger crown of figures. The material used allowed for fine details, but over time required various restorations. The statues depict illustrious men of history, culture and science, linked to Padua and the Veneto region, including Galileo Galilei, Francesco Petrarca, Tito Livio and Andrea Memmo himself.

An almost all-male pantheon

Walking among the statues, one breathes history. Philosophers, doctors, doges and artists accompany the walk, but among them all one woman stands out: Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia, the first woman in the world to graduate from the University of Padua in 1678. Her unique presence tells us how exceptional her achievement was at the time.

Underfoot, ancient traces

Few people know that under Prato della Valle there are remains from the Roman era, including structures that some scholars attribute to an ancient theatre. It is likely that Istria stone, very common in large public buildings of the time, was used in these constructions. The square has changed over the centuries, but has always maintained a central role in the life of the city.

Geometries to discover

What makes Prato della Valle unique is not only its vastness, but also the balance hidden in its shapes. Behind the harmony one perceives when walking around the square lies a precise study of proportions, symmetries and perspectives. Each architectural element is designed to guide the eye, invite discovery and convey a sense of order and beauty. Here are some curious details to observe:

Elliptical shape with offset centre

The oval of Prato della Valle seems perfectly symmetrical, but the geometric centre of the square does not coincide precisely with that of the island. This small shift creates a more dynamic and intriguing visual effect.

Harmonic proportions

The elliptical shape is inspired by the rules of classical harmony, with a reference to the golden number – a mathematical ratio of approximately 1.618, which recurs frequently in nature, art and architecture. Even in antiquity, this number was considered a symbol of perfect beauty. It is found in the structure of shells, flowers and even in the human body. Applying it to the square meant creating a visual balance that spoke directly to the sensitivity of the observer, making the site naturally pleasing to the eye.

78 statues in two concentric rings

The arrangement in two rings (inside and outside the canal) follows a logic of balance and visual rhythm, naturally guiding the visitor’s step and framing the entire oval.

The four cardinal bridges

The bridges connecting the island to the rest of the square are arranged according to the four cardinal points, a detail intended to symbolise the openness and centrality of Padua in the cultural world of the time.

A place to experience, not just to see

Prato della Valle today is much more than a monumental square: it has become a symbol of urban multifunctionality. Jogging in the morning, summer concerts, markets, family walks, picnics on the grass. Each corner adapts to the different rhythms of the city and the people who live there.

Here, engineering meets landscaping in a rare balance: functionality and beauty come together in a work that continues to evolve while remaining true to its original soul.

A place to feel, not just to see

Prato della Valle is discovered with the eyes, but remembered with the heart. Stop at the centre of Memmia Island, perhaps at sunset, when the sky is reflected in the canal and everything seems to slow down. Look up at the statues, choose one that strikes you and search for its history: it will feel like taking a fragment of the past with you, to be treasured even after your trip.