Piazza dei Signori, Padua, Bezoekersgids & wat te doen in de buurt

Piazza dei Signori is the elegant main square of the old town in Padua, Italy, closed in by arcades, loggias and a 15th-century clock tower with an astronomical clock. It takes its name from the Carrara lords who ruled the city before Venice took it in 1405, and it is still one of the best places in Padua to sit, look up and watch the city go by.

The story behind it

For much of the 14th century the Carrara family governed Padua from a palace beside this square, which is why it is called the square of the lords. When Venice took over the city in 1405, the Venetian captain moved into the Palazzo del Capitanio on the western side, and the square became the seat of Venetian rule on the mainland.

The Torre dell'Orologio, built in the early 15th century, is the centrepiece of that building. Its clock shows the hour together with the zodiac and the phases of the moon, and it was meant to display the movement of the heavens as well as the time. The loggias on the square date from later centuries and belong to the same story of Venetian civic building. Today the square is a pedestrian space and a favourite spot for a drink at aperitivo time.

What to look for

• The astronomical clock on the Torre dell'Orologio has a dial with zodiac signs and a moon indicator, so look closely at it rather than just checking the time.
• The archway beneath the clock tower is a gateway that leads from the square towards the market area, and it frames the view in both directions.
• The Loggia della Gran Guardia and the Loggia del Consiglio, with their arches and carved stonework, show the calm, balanced style of the Venetian period.
• The Palazzo del Capitanio, with its long facade facing the square, recalls the years when Venetian officials governed Padua from here.

Tips for your visit

• Walking through the square takes only a few minutes, but allow 30 to 45 minutes if you want to study the clock, the arcades and the facades, and perhaps stop for a coffee.
• Visit in the early morning for quiet and clean light on the tower, or in the early evening when locals gather for a spritz.
• Entering the square is free because it is a public space. Visits inside the clock tower have been offered at times, so check current opening hours and availability.
• Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza della Frutta and the Palazzo della Ragione are a short walk away, so the square fits easily into a wider stroll of the historic centre.

Explore it on a quest

A square like this is best understood on foot, with someone telling you what you are looking at. Discover the area on one of Questo's self-guided walks, where the app leads you from place to place, tells you about each stop and sets a puzzle in what is in front of you. Browse the quests in Padua and start whenever you like, with no guide and no group to join.