Padua History, Italy

Padua is known to be the oldest city in the northern part of Italy. The history of this city is as quaint as its culture and people. Padua History is indeed a collection of events waiting to be unfolded just like those found in Rome History.

Padua History – Ancient Times

Based on Aeneid by the famous Virgil, the city of Padua was discovered in 1183 BC by Antenor, a Trojan prince. It was said that Antenor accompanied the people of Eneti (Veneti) to Italy from Paphlagonia – a place near the Black Sea. A sarcophagus was unearthed in 1274 which many believed to be the Trojan prince’s relics.

From these claims, it is believed that the very first inhabitants of the city were the Venetis. The people of the city were known for their fighting skills and by 45 BC, Padua became very dominant having produced two hundred thousand fighting men.

Padua History - Invasions

After being a powerful city for hundreds of years, a terrible blow hit Padua due to the invasion of Attila, the Hun, and his men in 452 AD. The city was then passed to the Goths, and then the Greeks in 540 AD. In 601 AD, Padua was invaded by the Lombards.

The people of the city fought against the Lombard king Agilulf but were unfortunate. They watched their city being annihilated by the Lombards. The people fled to other cities. After the Lombards, Franks took over the government of Padua. All throughout these invasions, Padua became very weak and did not have much importance.

Padua History – Venetian Occupation And Austrian Occupation

In 1405, the Venetians occupied the city of Padua. They ruled the city until the fall of their republic in 1797. During the time of the Venetian occupation building of new walls and gates was done.

For a brief period during this rule, Padua was taken away from the Venetians. However, the Venetian troops were able to defend the city from Imperial troops. The city was then appointed under two Venetian nobles, a podesta (civil affairs) and a captain (military affairs).

After the fall of the Venetian Republic, Padua was passed to the Austrian Empire. Under the rule of the Austrians, Padua had developed industrially. It also formed part of Venice History after the construction of the first Italian rail tracks from Padua to Venice in 1845. During the Battle of Koniggratz, Padua was freed from the Austrian rule, thus the Italian Occupation began.

Padua History – 20th Century

On May 24, 1915, the Great War broke and Padua became the central headquarters of the Italian Army. The Italian troops were successful in defending their territory from the Austrians. Because of this, the city of Padua gained post-war developments.

Fast forward to World War II, Padua became a member of the Italian Social Republic – the puppet state of the Nazis – after Italy was defeated. The city suffered several bombings by Allied planes.

On April 28, 1945, another important event in Padua History took place when the city was freed by New Zealand troops and partisans. After suffering for centuries from different invaders and from wars, Padua was able to rise up and become one of the richest and most modern cities in Italy at present.

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