The term "Paduans" refers to citizens of the “Commonwealth of Poland”, who studied at the University of Padua in their youth. As professor Mirosław Lenart of the Opole University stresses, "the education and experience gained in the city of Antenor meant that for centuries "Paduans" were seen as representatives of a sophisticated intellectual and political culture. In fact, having come into contact with the achievements of the latin civilisation, visible in almost every field of functioning of the city on the Bacchiglione, Polish graduates of the University of Padua brought new models, views and solutions to the Vistula. From the perspective of the centuries, their contribution to Polish culture cannot be overestimated. It included law, medicine, literature, philosophy, architecture and military services.

"Paduans" left a strong mark on the political, cultural and religious life of the Republic. The number of students of Polish origin in Padua was so significant that already at the end of the 16th century the Polish Nation (Natio Regni Poloniae et Magni Ducatis Lithuaniae) was established as one of several student associations functioning at that time. The importance of the University of Padua for the development of Polish culture is attested to by the names of its graduates, many of whom went down in Polish history. The long list includes Witelon, Nicolaus Copernicus, Paweł Włodkowic, Jan Kochanowski, Józef Strus, Klemens Janicki and Marcin Kromer. One of the most eminent students of the Padua Athenaeum, Jan Zamoyski, hetman and great crown chancellor, wrote down the words that best conveyed the emotions that must have accompanied the "Paduans" when recalling their students’ period: Patavium virum me fecit - Padua made me a statesman.