Founded in 1222, the University of Padua boasts more than eight centuries of history and is one of the oldest universities in Europe.
Established as the *Studium Patavinum*, it was from its very beginnings an open place for “scholars and teachers” from different countries, inspired by a strong spirit of freedom of thought and teaching, embodied in the motto that still defines its identity today: Universa universis patavina libertas.
Its history is closely intertwined with that of outstanding figures who have shaped the cultural and scientific progress of humanity, from Copernicus to Vesalius, from Galileo Galilei to William Harvey, and up to leading figures of the twentieth century such as Tullio Levi-Civita, Concetto Marchesi and Bepi Colombo.
Today, the University of Padua is a major European university, with more than 75,000 students, over 2,700 faculty members and 2,800 technical and administrative staff, 32 departments, 30 libraries housing more than 2 million volumes, and over 15,000 graduates each year.
Its educational offering—spanning degree programmes, master’s courses, doctoral programmes, and schools of specialisation and excellence—is complemented by a strong research output, with nearly 13,000 publications annually and numerous active research projects.
Founded in 1222, the University of Padua boasts more than eight centuries of history and is one of the oldest universities in Europe.
Established as the *Studium Patavinum*, it was from its very beginnings an open place for “scholars and teachers” from different countries, inspired by a strong spirit of freedom of thought and teaching, embodied in the motto that still defines its identity today: Universa universis patavina libertas.
Its history is closely intertwined with that of outstanding figures who have shaped the cultural and scientific progress of humanity, from Copernicus to Vesalius, from Galileo Galilei to William Harvey, and up to leading figures of the twentieth century such as Tullio Levi-Civita, Concetto Marchesi and Bepi Colombo.
Today, the University of Padua is a major European university, with more than 75,000 students, over 2,700 faculty members and 2,800 technical and administrative staff, 32 departments, 30 libraries housing more than 2 million volumes, and over 15,000 graduates each year.
Its educational offering—spanning degree programmes, master’s courses, doctoral programmes, and schools of specialisation and excellence—is complemented by a strong research output, with nearly 13,000 publications annually and numerous active research projects.
