Prato della Valle

Prato della Valle ("Prà deła Vałe" in Venetian) is a 90,000 square meter elliptical square in Padova, Italy. It is the largest square in Italy, and one of the largest in Europe. The square today is a monumental space of extraordinary visual impact, with a green island at the center, "l'Isola Memmia", surrounded by a small canal bordered by two rings of statues.

History

Among the numerous statues in the square, one represents Andrea Memmo, the patrician Venetian known as "the provider of Padova". In 1775 Memmo decided to reclaim and restructure the entire area which, at that time, was nothing but an amorphous swampland.

The entire project, which was never fully completed, is represented in a famous copper engraving by Francesco Piranesi from 1785. It seems that Memmo had commissioned this and other representations and kept them on exhibition at the Palazzo Venezia, the headquarters of the Embassy of the Republic in Rome. He did this in order to entice other important figures into financing the construction of statues to decorate the square. The project approved by Domenico Cerato, professor of architecture at Vicenza and Padova.

The preliminary excavations done to install the plumbing system and reclaim the area were directed by Simone Stratico. These excavations brought to light the remains of an ancient Roman theater. These findings conferred a sense of historical dignity to the initiative, and transformed it into a project of reclamaton for its natural public use.Andrea Memmo resided at Palazzo Angeli, constructed in the 15th century and located in Prato della Valle at an angle with the avenue Umberto I. Today, the monumental palazzo, property of the city of Padova, hosts the Museum of Precinema "Minici Zotti collection".

The following are of particular interest: the benedictine Basilica of Santa Giustina, the neoclassical style Loggia Amulea, and the many interesting palazzi constructed between the 14th and the 18th centuries which surround the square.

Prato della Valle today

Prato della Valle has, from its beginning, taken a place in the hearts and sympathies of Padovans who frequently refer to it simply as "Il Prato." At various times it was also known as "valley without grass" because the number of trees prevented much grass from growing there. Today, however, it is completely covered with grass, with many small trees.

During the 1990s, the "Prato" went through a period of degradation and neglect, but today it has been restored to its original splendor through reclamation projects and the concern and involvement of the citizens of Padova. During the summer, the square is animated by large numbers of visitors who skate, stroll or study while tanning themselves in the sun. Summer evenings are marked by the presence of teens and young adults who chat until the early hours of the morning.

For several years, Prato della Valle has been the seat of the Padovan section of the Festivalbar, and recently it has even played host to skating competitions, thanks to the wide asphalted ring which surrounds the square.

Every New Year's Day (Capodanno), and during the Feast of the Annunciation in August (Ferragosto), parties with music and fireworks take place in the Prato.

The monumental building of the 15th century , Palazzo Angeli that belongs to the City of Padova and where Andrea Memmo lived, hosts the Museum of the PRECINEMA - "Minici Zotti Collection" ( [http://www.minicizotti.it] ).

References

*Prosdocimi, Aldo. "Il Prato della Valle", Padova. 1978.
*Stratico, Simone. "Dell'antico teatro di Padova", Padova, 1795.

Documents

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 Memmo Cavaliere and Procurator of S. Marco when he was extraordinary provider of the Serene Republic of Venice, between the years MDCCLXXV and VI. 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."