When I was in Padova last time I went in search of the tomb of Antenore, the supposed founder of Padova, or Patavium as it was called then. Antenore was a Trojan prince mentioned in Homer’s Iliad.
The stone sarcophagus was built in 1274 by the citizens of Padova to honour their founder, and it remains in its original position, in what is now called Piazza Antenore.
The city has grown around it.
Opposite the tomb is the 15th century Palazzo Sala with its beautiful facade.
Beside it is the gothic Palazzo Romanin Jacur, where Dante Alighieri was said to have stayed to escape arrest after he was charged with political corruption and banished from Florence . There is a plaque in his honour on the facade of the building.
While I was admiring the tomb and the old buildings, a DHL delivery truck turned up. A matching bicycle appeared to ferry the deliveries to an address down a tiny alley.
I really love the way Italians adapt their modern lives to the ancient streets…much better than demolishing buildings to widen streets…just build smaller vehicles.