If you already visited Padova (or “Padua”) you might already know the historic Caffè Pedrocchi. But that’s not all…come with us and you’ll see!
Padova, located in northen Italy is popular for being the city of Sant’Antonio (Saint Anthony), one of the most important Saints in the Christian culture. People from all over the world come to Padova to pay a visit to St Anthony Chapel of the Relic. The city is not far from Venice, and it’s exactly Venice that inspired the cafés tradition that flourished in Padova at the end of XIX and beginning of the XX century. Cafes where popular especially among the intellectual and art environment. The main historic café here is Caffè Pedrocchi, which is popular all over Europe.
Cafè Pedrocchi
Cafè Pedrocchi is one of the most ancient cafes in Italy. The origin of this place dates back to 1772, when Francesco Pedrocchi opened the first location. In 1831 his son Antonio Pedrocchi, established the café as we see it to this day. One of the reasons the café is popular is its architectural design by Giuseppe Jappelli. Jappelli was born in Venice and for Caffè Pedrocchi he took inspiration from the cafes in Vienna.
Cafè Pedrocchi is knows as the “doorless” café. The reason is to be found in its 24/7 working hours, which is not the case anymore as the cafes today works with “regular” business hours.
If you are looking for Cafè Pedrocchi you’ll find it in between Palazzo Bo and Palazzo Moroni areas, right in the city center. Its prime location is also one of the reasons for its popularity, in fact it was the place of choice for students and illustrious professors.
The café is also sadly famous for the murder of a young student, which marked the start of the Risorgimento riots: a movement against the Habsburg ruling.
Arnaldo Fusinato, Ippolito Nievo. Stendhal, Eleonora Duse, George Sand, Filippo Tommaso Marinetti and Gabriele d’Annunzio are only some of the illustrious patrons of the place. The Pedrocchi family was always very proud of its clientele, a pride that was passed on to the next generation of owners when the place change ownership in 1891. The café is so dear to the city that the city of Padua itself took responsibility to preserve it as it was at its origin.
Cafè Pedrocchi si today also knows for some of its delicacies such as the Pedrocchi Coffee made with mint and Stendhal Zabaione (of course, they won’t share the recipe If you ask!).
Bar San Marco
Mr Trevisi, founded this place in Ponte di Brenta, near Padova 1891.
This is still one of the most popular cafes and it was able to retail its spirit even though changes of ownership had been frequent. It went from the Facchinellos to the Minuzzis during the first half of 1900, and went from the Marchi to the De Marchi after WW2. In 2007, the place in being managed by Hu Liangxian.
Bar Tre Scalini
Literary “three steps café”, this place opening happened at the beginning of the XX century, even though some people say the Bar Tre Scalini’s origins are far more ancient than that. The café has always been very important in the region and it is located opposite to the “Portello” river area, an important link with Venice in the past. This place popularity grew during WW2 when it became a meeting point for people to watch the national tv broadcast.
Today Bar Tre Scalini also opened its own catering and event service business.
Bar Margherita
Bar Margherita is located in the Canton dell busie and its opening date is not known, but it has been sometimes in the 19yh century. The location was very important in the past as it was the place where goods arrived on the riverway. It is also right where the Palazzo della Regione is, which served in the past as the Court for the city.
What do you think of Padova now? It’s worth a visit for sure! Stay tuned for more historical café tour very soon!
