Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DRINKING & NIGHTLIFE
Sundown isn't official until you've had your
spritz
in Piazza delle Erbe or Piazza dei Si-
gnori. Also note that Padua is the region's unofficial capital of gay and lesbian life.
CAFFÈ PEDROCCHI
( 049 878 12 31;
www.caffepedrocchi.it
;
Via VIII Febbraio 15; 9am-10pm Sun-Wed, to 1am Thu-Sat)
Since
1831, this neoclassical landmark has been a favourite of Stendhal and other pillars of
Padua's cafe society. Divided into three rooms: red, white and green (the colours of the
Italian flag), the Pedrocchi has long been a seat of intrigue and revolution. The green room
to the right of the bar was a 'no obligation' lounge where intellectuals could come and talk,
while the white room bears a small plaque marking the spot where a bullet struck the wall
in the 1848 student rebellion.
The extraordinary 1st floor is decorated in post-Napoleonic styles ranging from ancient
Egyptian to Imperial. During the day you can visit the upstairs Museo del Risorgimento e
dell'Età Contemporanea, recounting local and national history from the fall of Venice in
1797 until the republican constitution of 1848.
CAFE
