Description
The Palazzo del Capitanio closes the east side of Piazza dei Signori, in the center of Padua: it was the seat of the Capitanio, one of the governors Venice sent to rule the city, and it stands on the remains of the Carraresi family's palace.
In the middle rises the Clock Tower, with its large astronomical dial inaugurated in 1437. At its base opens the Arco di Falconetto (1531), inspired by Roman arches, with two winged victories, the lion of Saint Mark and two soldiers holding up the coat of arms of Doge Andrea Gritti.
Beyond the arch lies Corte Capitaniato, once the courtyard of the palace and today the students' square, where they celebrate their graduations by hanging "papiri" on the trees. The building houses city offices and a university department.
The sign of Libra is missing from the dial. The story goes that the builder omitted it out of spite, because he had not been paid: a legend with no historical basis, since Libra was removed at the end of the 18th century.
In the middle rises the Clock Tower, with its large astronomical dial inaugurated in 1437. At its base opens the Arco di Falconetto (1531), inspired by Roman arches, with two winged victories, the lion of Saint Mark and two soldiers holding up the coat of arms of Doge Andrea Gritti.
Beyond the arch lies Corte Capitaniato, once the courtyard of the palace and today the students' square, where they celebrate their graduations by hanging "papiri" on the trees. The building houses city offices and a university department.
The sign of Libra is missing from the dial. The story goes that the builder omitted it out of spite, because he had not been paid: a legend with no historical basis, since Libra was removed at the end of the 18th century.