Padova, from front line capital to city of peace

After the Caporetto retreat, with the Supreme Command being moved to Padova, hundreds of bombs fell on the city. Many historical buildings were hit and a high number of civilians died in the last year of the war. Leaving the station to visit the historical centre, to retrace the story of war events that affected Padova through its numerous symbols and commemoration places, the first you meet is the Sacello della Rotonda, within the tower-tank of the aqueduct, on the area of the 16th century Codalunga or "of the cat", dedicated to the civil victims of World War I air bombings. The itinerary then moves to the historical centre for a stop at the famous Caffè Pedrocchi: on its first floor you can visit the interesting Museum of the Risorgimento and of the modern Era, with special reference to the section dedicated to World War I. A bit further on, look up at the commemoration stone on the Town Hall. The Moretti Scarpari wing of Palazzo Moroni, front of the Town Hall overlooking via VIII Febbraio, also known as "Padova's Altar to the Homeland", was built in the 1920s, to recall the Italian victory and commemorate Padova's citizens who died in the Great War. Their names are engraved in the stones walled outside. Opposite, Palazzo del Bo, historical seat of Padova University, active during the entire war period, both to support the various war sectors (epidemiological and drinking water controls) and establishing, in 1916, the Università Castrense for medical students under arms. The route through town centre roads then moves to via Altinate where you find the Historical Museum to the Third Army, set up in 1956 and rich in weapons, uniforms, mementos, cartographic documents, photos and original documents. The collection of the signatures of about 60,000 famous people who have created Italian history is somewhat special. After the museum, you return towards the station passing by the Temple of Peace erected to fulfil a Padovan people's vote to Sant' Antonio, called on to protect the town during the Great War. The church is also an ossuary holding the bodies of 5,401 soldiers who died in the hospitals of the town and province. This itinerary can be connected to the one called "Abano in the Great War, from Padova to Abano Terme".