Padua (Padova in Italian) is a large and historic city of over 200,000 people in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Padua has a special place in my heart as I lived there for a year straight after I finished university. As a place to visit, it is often overlooked due to its proximity to its famous neighbour, Venice. However, Padua is well-worth a visit in its own right as it offers many historic sites and architecture, characterful arcaded streets, a lively atmosphere and markets that provide a true reflection of Italian culture and has a thriving art community that is present in its galleries and street art.