Located in the historic city of Padua, PadovaFiere is one of northern Italy’s long-established exhibition and congress venues, hosting trade fairs, public exhibitions, conferences and specialist events. Its position in the Veneto places it within one of Italy’s most economically active regions, with strong connections to manufacturing, commerce and design.
Within the automotive world, PadovaFiere is particularly significant as the historic home of Auto e Moto d’Epoca. Founded in Padua in 1983, the exhibition developed over the following four decades into one of Europe’s leading gatherings devoted to historic automobiles, motorcycles and collecting. After 39 years in Padua, the event moved to BolognaFiere for its 40th edition in 2023, where the larger exhibition complex allowed it to double its available space.
In Brief
- PadovaFiere is a long-established exhibition and congress complex in Padua.
- Auto e Moto d’Epoca was founded in Padua in 1983.
- PadovaFiere was its home for 39 years before the exhibition moved to Bologna.
- During its Padua era, the event developed into an internationally recognised historic-vehicle exhibition.
- By 2019, it had become Europe’s largest classic-car market.
- The 2023 edition was the first held at BolognaFiere, not PadovaFiere.
History
PadovaFiere traces its origins to the early twentieth century, developing alongside Padua’s role as an important commercial and academic centre in north-eastern Italy. Over successive decades, the exhibition grounds evolved to accommodate trade fairs, public exhibitions and specialist events serving both regional industries and international audiences.
Its strongest connection with automotive culture began with Auto e Moto d’Epoca, founded in Padua in 1983. What began there developed progressively into an international exhibition, receiving official international recognition in 2007 and establishing itself as Europe’s largest classic-car market by 2019.
After 39 years in Padua, Auto e Moto d’Epoca relocated to BolognaFiere for its 40th edition in 2023. The move provided approximately twice the exhibition space available for the previous edition and marked a new stage in the event’s development. PadovaFiere nevertheless retains considerable automotive significance as the venue where Auto e Moto d’Epoca spent almost four decades developing from a Padua exhibition into a major institution of European historic motoring culture.
The Exhibition Centre
PadovaFiere is a long-established exhibition complex in Padua, Veneto, serving the city and surrounding region with facilities for trade fairs, public exhibitions, conferences and professional events. Its location within an economically active part of north-eastern Italy has historically allowed the venue to serve both specialist industries and large public-facing exhibitions.
The complex consists of multiple exhibition halls and supporting event spaces rather than a single monumental building, reflecting its development as a practical urban fairground. This flexibility allowed exhibitions to combine large displays with specialist stands, commercial areas and club activities — characteristics particularly suited to the diverse requirements of automotive exhibitions.
PadovaFiere holds an important place in European automotive heritage as the birthplace and long-standing home of Auto e Moto d’Epoca. Founded in Padua in 1983, the exhibition developed there over the following four decades from an enthusiast gathering into an internationally recognised meeting place for collectors, manufacturers, museums, clubs, restorers and specialists.
During its 39 years at PadovaFiere, Auto e Moto d’Epoca became particularly important to the culture surrounding historic vehicles and their preservation. Automobiles and motorcycles shared the exhibition halls with restoration specialists, spare parts, automobilia, marque clubs and manufacturer heritage programmes, helping establish Padua as an annual destination within the European collector-vehicle community.
The exhibition relocated to BolognaFiere in 2023, where greater capacity allowed its continued expansion. PadovaFiere nevertheless remains fundamental to its history: it was in Padua that Auto e Moto d’Epoca was created and developed most of the international reputation it carries today. The venue therefore retains lasting significance as one of the places that helped shape Europe’s modern historic-vehicle and collector culture.
Visitor Experience
For enthusiasts, PadovaFiere offers one of Europe’s richest automotive experiences.
Visitors can explore thousands of historic vehicles, meet leading restoration experts, browse specialist parts suppliers and discover exhibitions presented by manufacturers, museums and private collectors. The atmosphere balances commercial opportunity with cultural appreciation, making it equally attractive to first-time visitors and seasoned collectors.
Outside exhibition periods, Padova itself offers exceptional cultural attractions, allowing visitors to combine automotive events with one of Italy’s oldest and most beautiful university cities.
Location
PadovaFiere is located close to the historic centre of Padua, approximately 40 kilometres west of Venice.
The venue benefits from excellent motorway and rail connections, making it easily accessible from across Italy and neighbouring European countries.
Address
Via Niccolò Tommaseo 59
35131 Padova
Provincia di Padova, Veneto
Italy
Website