The University of Padua
The University of Padova is among the oldest in Europe. Juridical, theological, philosophical and medical studies were fostered in the medieval town before the ground was prepared for the official birth of a permanent university, which took place in 1222. The University's historic motto is "Universa Universis Patavina Libertas" (Padova freedom (is) total, complete, general for everybody) and it is a declaration of freedom for humanity and for human thought, untainted by discrimination, prejudice or censure.
Illustrious scientists in Padova
In the field of medicine, Gian Battista Da Monte was the first in Europe to teach clinical medicine from the patient's bedside and anatomical dissections were ever more frequent at the University.
Padova was an important milestone for Copernicus while maturing his new conception of the universe.
Galileo (in Padova between 1592 and 1610) found there the right conditions for astronomical observation.