Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Bridge Wednesday - Padua

Prato della Valle, Padua, Italy  © Doug Hickok


The picturesque city of Padua is the oldest city of northern Italy. Tradition says it was founded by the Trojan prince Antenor in the year 1183 BC.

Pictured above is the canal of the Prato della Valle (Il Prato), the elliptical public square built over the remains of an ancient Roman theater. This canal is lined with statues of town luminaries and surrounded by beautiful palazzi dating from the 14th century.


Padua's famous university (1222 AD) had among its professors Copernicus and Galileo. The school also boasts the world's oldest botanical garden (1545 AD). Artists such as Giotto, Donatello, Mantegna and Canova have contributed to the city's cultural legacy. The great architect Palladio was born here... and so on and so forth.

The neighborhood I live in (a suburb of Charleston) was developed only about 40 years ago (circa 1970 AD). Before that it was primarily woodlands and wetlands. The only known luminary was the Swamp Thing (see this post for details).
Hmm, no wonder America is called the New World.

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27 comments:

  1. GinnieJune 15, 2011 at 1:51 AM

    I LOVE this Old World image, Doug, and how you have compared it to our New World in America. You are so right. That's why I am in awe of Europe every day that I'm here!

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  2. Traveling HawkJune 15, 2011 at 2:07 AM

    A perfect photo, I would say! There are so many ancient, beautiful places in Europe! And yes, America is the New World compared with them but it's new only for the white race.

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  3. AnonymousJune 15, 2011 at 2:33 AM

    Italy has so many beautiful old buildings.
    Your photo is very nice, the pastel colors are charming. Did you make any filter processing on it?

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  4. AnonymousJune 15, 2011 at 2:40 AM

    This feels like going back in time..
    Love it!

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  5. brattcatJune 15, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    Even if the U.S. continues for another millennium, it will never look like this.

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  6. Cezar and LéiaJune 15, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    Mon Dieu!it's BEAUTIFUL!
    You have visited so wonderful places in this world, I'm envious here! And happy because you are sharing your pictures, so we can also dream about there!
    I love that sculpture and the reflections are magnificent!
    Léia

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  7. 黄清华 Wong Ching WahJune 15, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    It took forever to load that picture, but once loaded... very beautiful ! thanks !

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  8. UnknownJune 15, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    Nice shot and very interesting history. PADUA a place that have to be visited.
    Thank you for everiting, I,m glad to find your blog

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  9. ChristopherJune 15, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    First, great shot with amazing light and reflection. Second, you're cracking me up with your narrative here--good stuff. I'm reminded of Harris K. Telemacher's cinematic words to Sara as he gave her a sightseeing tour of LA:

    "Some of these buildings are 20 YEARS OLD!"

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  10. T. BecqueJune 15, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Love photos with history behind them like this! Like the yellow hue too. I so wanted to get to Padua, but I have to admit that I was so tired of trains by the time I got to Venice that I planted myself there for my last two days.

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  11. HarryJune 15, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    This is lovely. Your composition is excellent, and your processing gives this the patina of an old oil painting.

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  12. A.BarlowJune 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    I really like the tea stained look of this photo. Framing of the bridge and reflections was done very well.

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  13. Marie LCJune 15, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    You and me show a bridge today. Very amusing ! I like yours and the composition also.

    My excuses if I comment less on your images in the days to come, I have to look after my back which makes me suffer at the moment and spend least possible time in front of my screen.

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  14. London CallerJune 15, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    Nobody does golden hour better than you. :)
    Padua looks like a great place to explore!

    New World has New Hampshire, New York and New Jersey.
    How weird they're all located in New England...
    I wonder why. :^)

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  15. georgeJune 15, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    Some interesting facts about the Italian antiquities - and they look so right in the antique light.

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  16. LindaJune 15, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    Its like looking in a mirror, very lovely tones, they suit the atmosphere of the image :-)

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  17. OKJune 15, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    beautiful image. lovely color and reflections.

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  18. AkaruiphotoJune 15, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    Wonderful bridge and reflections.
    I love your landscape picture of june 6th.

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  19. rianJune 15, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    that sure is a picturesque scene.. nice capture!

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  20. RandyJune 15, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    That shot is a WOW!

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  21. ....peterJune 15, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    First and most important is the grandeur that you have added to this ancient city with your lens and your treatment Doug....WOW!!!:).
    Then i read the history.....in 1222 AD the University year book would have been carved on stone tablets....that is even older than dirt:).... i see what you meant about the New World:D....well done Sir....peter:)

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  22. Joop ZandJune 16, 2011 at 3:45 AM

    Very nice picture Doug,
    i like this italian city.

    Greetings, Joop

    thanks for your comment.

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  23. VPJune 16, 2011 at 4:26 AM

    I have been in Padua only a long time ago, and I regret this...

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  24. yzJune 16, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    fantastic mood and reflection

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  25. OlegJune 16, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    Perfect shot! I love this terrific reflections!
    And of course this colourful processing.

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  26. Mike BlanchardJune 17, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    I love the "old world" light that you've created in this shot. A great look and a terrific image!

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  27. fabrizioJune 18, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    wow this one is simply wonderful, perfect point of view

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