The River Station of Portello

❝The river station of Portello is an emblem of ancient sailing traditions on the ‘liquid roads’ that cross the Paduan plain. In front of the quay’s elegant step-way, which is today's dock for tourist navigation on the Brenta River, we find the monumental Porta Ognissanti, coated in white Istrian stone and shaped like a triumphal arch.❞

The river dock of Portello, overlooking the Piovego Canal, is one of the most significant water sites in Padua's historical centre. Condensed within it are the history of flourishing commerce, valuable architectonic elements, as well as the centuries old customs and traditions of the waterways. The site, the name of which refers to a passageway within the medieval walls to allow the passage of people and goods, more precisely known as a 'portello', is closely linked to previous navigation on the Piovego Canal, the thirteenth century waterway that was constructed to connect the Bacchiglione with the Brenta Canal, making it possible to reach Venice directly without having to navigate via Chioggia. When Padua was annexed to the Venetian republic, the medieval wall system was markedly reshaped with the construction of the monumental Porta Ognissanti, the sixteenth century architectural work which dominates the river station. Coated in white Istrian stone, very similar to a triumphal arch, you get there by means of a footbridge next to the quay. The impressive set of steps, once the historical dockings of the famous passenger boat, the Burchiello, is found close to the Santa Maria dei Barcaioli newsstand. This beautifully worked and decorated vessel was used by wealthy Venetians to get to their mainland villas directly from Venice. The Burchiello has been eulogised by noted scholars and writers, from Goldoni to Goethe and D'Annunzio. Even Giacomo Casanova left a detailed account of his experience on board the vessel in 1734 in the company of Baffo, famous Venetian erotic poet. The ancient port of Portello, also made famous by the marvellous Canaletto painting (today in the National Gallery of Art, Washington), still today retains its function, thanks to tourism on the Riviera del Brenta and Padua's water circuit. In Summer it hosts many musical and cinematographic events, set in the spectacular context and backdrop of water.