golden fog in Padua - Italy Prato della Valle, Basilica Sta Justina in the middle in the background. Prato della Valle: This is the second largest square in Europe (the Red Square is the biggest), and it is the central meeting ground in Padua. Prato is home to a gigantic market in the mornings. The circular area is surrounded by 78 statues of famous men (all men – no women), some from Padua and some who just passed through. Our tour guide pointed out two of the statues in particular – one of Galileo Galilei, the father of modern science and a former professor at the University of Padova, and one of Francesco Petrarca, native Paduan and poet often credited as the father of the Renaissance. –Basilica di Santa Giustina: Santa Giustina is the ninth largest basilica in the world. It is connected with a Benedictine abbey. The Benedictines used to own all of the land that comprises the nearby Prato della Valle. Santa Giustina, the first patron saint of Padua, is buried in the church along with San Prosdocimus, San Massimo, and San Luca. That last one is a big name – Saint Luke, the evangelist. Thank you all for the kind visit and comments.hugs