Porta Padovana

Porta Padovana is the principal eastern entrance to Cittadella’s medieval walls, facing the road to Padua. Frescoes of the Carraresi chariot and the arms of Padua decorate its outer walls. The gate complex adjoins the Torre di Malta.

Why it matters

Cittadella was founded by Padua in 1220 as a fortified town facing Treviso and Vicenza. Porta Padovana formed the principal entrance from the founding city, and its painted symbols reflect the political relationship between Cittadella and Padua.

What to notice

The outer walls preserve large frescoes depicting the Carraresi chariot beside the arms of Padua. The gate is arranged in three successive orders of doors around a courtyard of arms, with a masonry spiral staircase within a cylindrical shell. The adjoining Torre di Malta is a substantial tower associated with Ezzelino III da Romano. Beside the gate stands the church of Santa Maria del Torresino, built against the inner face of the wall; its bell tower reuses part of a defensive tower.

Context and history

As the eastern entrance, Porta Padovana connected the walled town to the road from Padua. Under the Carraresi, Cittadella became part of the Padovano; after 1406 it followed the political fortunes of the Venetian mainland until the end of the eighteenth century. The gate’s drawbridge defended the approach from Padua. The Torre di Malta now houses archaeological and siege-history collections, and forms part of the historic complex around the gate.