Padua’s Basilica of St. Anthony
Visit One of Northern Italy’s Must-See Sights
The Romanesque Basilica di Sant'Antonio, built to enshrine St. Anthony's relics, is one of Europe's major pilgrimage sites, decorated by works of Donatello and Titian.
Although Saint Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal, Padua has adopted him as a native son, and it is here that pilgrims come to worship the saint’s relics at his shrine.
The huge church, built in Pisan style romanesque with Gothic and heavy Byzantine influences, was begun in 1232, only a year after the saint died at a convent in Padua. Although it was not completed until 1350, the saint’s relics were brought there is 1263, and it became a major pilgrimage site.
St. Anthony’s body is entombed in the Capella dell'Arca, and is the main object of devotion for worshipers. The chapel also contains exquisite marble bas relief panels by Jacopo Sansovino, Tullio Lombardo and Giovanni Minello. Frescoes on the ceiling were done by Falconetto in 1533.
Menabuoi Frescoes and More
Just beyond is the Cappella Beato Lucca Belludi, dedicated to the saint’s companion, with outstanding frescoes by Giusto de'Menabuoi showing scenes from Belludi's life. To the left of the altar in the ambulatory are an outstanding Jesse tree and several chapels with beautiful frescoes.
Donatello bronze panels are difficult to see on the main altar, but his stone bas relief is visible. Facing across the aisle are the Contarini and Bembo tombs, by Michele Sanmicheli. The reliquary, Cappella del Tesoro, behind the altar, contains a tunic of the saint and a reliquary containing more relics of the saint, including his teeth. The basilica is open daily Mar—Oct 6:30am to 10:00 pm; Nov--Feb daily 6:30 am to 7:00pm.
Scoletta del Santo and Oratorio
From the adjoining cloister there are good views of the church. Standing outside in the piazza is the monumental statue of Gattamelata by Donatello, the first of its kind since the Roman era. Beside the statue is the Scoletta del Santo and Oratorio, a small chapel whose walls are covered with outstanding frescoes, two scenes of the life of Saint Anthony by Titian (painted in 1511) and the lives of Christ and other saints by Altichiero da Zevio and Jacopo Avenzo, completed in the late 1300s. The oratorio is open Apr—Sept 9:00 am to noon and 2:30 to 7:00 pm; Oct--Mar 9:00 am to 12:30pm, 2:30 to 5:00pm.
Orto Botanico Medicinal Garden
The Piazza del Santo, where the basilica and oratorio are located, is close to the large and elegant Prato della Valle on the south end of town. Its oval shape is because it was the site of the Roman Amphitheatre. Near the basilica, off the Prato, is the Orto Botanico, Europe's oldest botanic garden. Some of the trees are the originals planted when it was built in 1545. Even those who find medicinal herbs less than fascinating will find the gardens a nice place for a walk, especially in the summer when the shrine is covered in tourists. The garden is open daily May--mid-Sept 9:00 am to 1:00 pm,3:00 to 6:00 pm, shorter winter hours.
To get to the basilica area from the center of the old city, follow Via Zabarella from Chiesa degli Eremitani (Eremitani Church, next to the Scrovini Chapel). It becomes Via dei, and in about a half mile you’ll reach the Prato della Valle.
For a walking tour of the old city center, click here.
