Prato della Valle - Padova

Prato della Valle is a 90,000 square meter elliptical square in Padua, Italy. It is the largest square in Italy and one of the largest in Europe. Today, the square is a large space with a green island at the center called La Sola Memmia, surrounded by a small canal bordered by two rings of statues. Prior to 1635, the area which would come to be known as the Prato della Valle was largely a featureless expanse of partially swampy terrain just south of the old city walls, Padua. In 1636 a group of Venetian and Veneto notables financed the construction there of a temporary but lavishly appointed theater as a venue for mock battles on horseback. The musical entertainment which served as prologue to the jousting is considered to be the immediate predecessor of the first public opera performances in Venice which began the following year. Also to be noticed are the neoclassical style Loggia Amuliere and the many interesting palazzi constructed between the 14th and the 18th centuries that surround the square. Of particular interest is the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Giustina, one of the world's largest churches. During the 1990s, the Prato went through a period of degradation and neglect, but today it has been restored through reclamation projects organized by a group of Padua's concerned citizens. During the summer, the square is alive with large numbers of visitors who skate, stroll or study while basking in the sun. Summer evenings are marked by the presence of teenagers and young adults who chat until the early hours of the morning. Today there are 78 statues, 40 in the exterior ring and 38 statues in the inner ring. Following the original plan, there have been 88 statues. They were made from stone of Vicenza between 1775 and 1883 by various artists. One of the statues represents Andrea Memo, the patrician Venetian known as the provider of Padua. At the bottom of Piranesi's engraving, one can read the following descriptive text. Prospectus of the new square following the general idea already conceived and in large part implemented by his excellency Mr. Andrea Memo Cavalier and procurator of San Marco when he was extraordinary provider of the serene Republic of Venice between the years 1775 and 76. Above marshy terrain containing the space of 974,012 square geometric feet and called therefore the square of the valley, the island destined for public walks, art museums and statues which adorn it proudly with figures of merchants and animals, indication of spectacular woods, lakes, streets, bridges and many other ornaments which can be discovered without explanation. This engraving tells us the profound sex that centuries ago creators wanted to give to this marvelous place called Prato della Valle.