Piazza delle Erbe (Herb Square)

It was formerly called "Della Biada" and then "Del Vino" because of the markets that were held there. It was considered a centre for the sale of low value goods and under the porch of the Chamber mats and edges for tins and tonels were displayed. The stairs by which the Palazzo della Ragione was accessed were called "Scala dei ferro Lavorati," the only one still accessible, and "Scala del vino," by the name of the products that were mainly sold in this square. Here came the Palio race that was leaving Volta Barozzo. As a prize, the winner was given a silk cloth or pallet (hence the name), the second a oca and the third a lettuce. From the balcony of the Palazzo della Ragione the lottery numbers were drawn since 1838. This game was established by the Republic of Venice in 1734. In the draw of January 1, the nuns of the monastery attached to the church of San Pietro, which was later suppressed, obtained a great profit and had to send for the money with a caravan... Today in Piazza delle Erbe we can admire the municipal buildings on our left: the 16th century Podestà Palace and the 20th century annex where, among other things, a map of Padua marble is represented with the indication of the 912 bombs that fell. during World War I. We walked through the square on the side of the Hall and noticed the great sun clock on the southern façade; in front of us we saw the Palazzo delle Debite, name of the previous building used as a prison to which it was accessed directly from the Palazzo della Ragione through a high step of the 16th century that was demolished, along with the prisons, in 1872. The current building, with a large porch of nine sides and arches, is by the architect Camillo Boito (1873). The square, as in the past, continues to host one of the most picturesque outdoor markets, with the posts that cover almost the entire surface. Each morning, around the fountain, which was placed in 1930, the colorful flower stands adorn and color the square. .

Latitude:45.406857·Longitude:11.875405