The University of Padua was founded in 1222 and was one of the most prominent universities in early modern Europe. It is now one of Italy's leading universities, ranking highly in recent rankings. The university began by teaching law and theology but expanded to include astronomy, philosophy, grammar, medicine, and rhetoric by 1399. Notable alumni include Casanova, Copernicus, and Harvey. With over 59,000 students across 13 faculties, the University of Padua remains one of the most prestigious in Italy for its scientific and scholarly contributions.