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Venice is one of my favorite cities to visit. A stunning and fascinating place, I adore wandering the narrow alleyways, crossing the canals and viewing the beautiful Venetian architecture.
On this trip, I decided that as much as I love Venice, it was time to venture farther out and see what other nearby cities had to offer. A couple of years ago, I had done a little research on the city of Padova (Padua), which claims to be the oldest city in Italy. My knowledge of Padova was limited to knowing that St. Anthony, the patron saint of finding things or lost people, died in this historical city. I was also aware that Padova is the setting for most of the action in Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. After finding that Padova was only 14 minutes by train, I decided that the pilgrimage city was going to be my destination.
Departing from the Mestre train station, we arrived in Padova rather quickly since there are no stops in between the two cities. After disembarking, a quick stop at the Tourist Information Office, which is located in the train station, secured some maps and additional information.
Since the Basilica di Sant’Antonio is only open until 7:00 pm, we decided to head there first and then make our way through the city. In the interest of time, we opted to purchase tickets to ride the tram which would take us right to our destination. Outside of the station, to the right, there is a ticket machine and a ticket counter to purchase tram tickets. Our tickets were soon in hand and we headed across the street to the Stazione FS tram stop.
The tram ride was rather quick and we soon arrived at the Santo tram stop. A short walk to the corner, a left turn and we were gazing upon the Basilica at the end of the street!
Millions of pilgrims travel to Padova every year, to visit the Basilica di Sant’Antonio (St. Anthony). It is here that St. Anthony’s grave is preserved. St. Anthony, originally from Lisbon, was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1946 and was the second-most quickly canonized saint in the Catholic Church, after Peter of Verona.
The Basilica, known locally as “Il Santo”, offers a commanding view from its square with its Romanesque, Byzantine and Gothic influences. Many tourists linger in the area as it is such a holy site and it is recognized as one of the eight international shrines by the Holy See. Although it is visited by millions of people each year, it is not the main cathedral of the city, that being the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Mary of Padua.
Construction of the Basilica began shortly after the death of St. Anthony, in approximately 1232. Its completion in 1310 was followed by several modifications to the structure at the end of the 14th and mid 15th centuries. St. Anthony, although currently buried in the Basilica, had previously been interred, according to his will, in the small church of Santa Maria Mater Domini. This small church was incorporated into the present basilica as the Cappella della Madonna Mora (Chapel of the Dark Madonna).
Although I had been warned that we should expect a line to enter the Basilica, we encountered none. The Basilica is extensive in size, and although there a large number of visitors, while traversing the interior, it did not feel extremely crowded. Signs are posted at the entrance and within the Basilica prohibiting photography and inappropriate dress.
The interior of the church is quite beautiful. Many funerary monuments of noteworthy artistic value are housed in the Basilica. Attention should be given to each of the side chapels and their contents. The Chapel of the Holy Sacrament (Cappella del Santissimo Sacramento) on the right aisle, houses the tomb of the famous condottiero Gattamelata and his son Giannantonio along with a bronze tabernacle designed by Girolamo Campagna.
Several important images of the Madonna can also be found throughout the Basilica. One of extreme importance is the Madonna Mora, a statue of the Madonna with the Christ Child by the French sculptor Rainaldino di Puy-l’Evéque, dating from 1396. The name Madonna Mora refers to her olive skin and black hair. Another noteworthy piece located in the high altar area is a bronze Madonna with Child along with six statues of Saints by Donatello.
At the rear of the Basilica, is the ornate baroque Treasury Chapel with its resplendent ceiling depicting hundreds of angels amidst the clouds. In this chapel are housed the relics of St. Anthony, including his tongue, which was discovered to be intact in 1263 when his coffin was opened so that his remains could be placed under the high altar in the Basilica. The body of St. Anthony, can be visited in the Chapel of Madonna Mora in the middle of the nave. Expect to stand in line to visit both chapels.
Another part of the Basilica worth visiting is the peaceful cloisters in the Basilica. The Cloister of the Novices, constructed in the 15th century, offers a superb view of the Basilica, the Magnolia Cloister, offers a splendid magnolia tree planted in the middle of the nineteenth century cloister, the General’s Cloister, in which the rooms of the Ministers General overlook and the Cloister of Blessed Luca Belludi, whose present form dates back to the late fifteenth century. Adjacent to the Magnolia Cloister is a gift shop which offers rosaries, medals and many other religious items. Near the entrance to the cloisters, within the church, sits a priest who will bless your items.
The Basilica is one in Italy that cannot be missed for its religious, historical and architectural significance. Easily reached by public transport, it should be made a priority when visiting the Venice area.
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The Basilica of St. Anthony
- http://www.santantonio.org/en/basilica
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Piazza del Santo, 35123 Padova PD
- Hours: Weekdays, January 1-March 26, 0620-1845, March 27-October 29, 0620-1945, October 30-December 31, 0620-1845. Saturdays and Sundays, 0620-1945
- Admission: no charge
- Getting There: http://www.trenitalia.com/ From Venice S. Lucia, Regional trains, €4,10, Other trains, €15,50-€17,00. From Venice Mestre, Regional trains, €3,35, Other trains, €15,50-€17,00.
- Getting There: Padova Tram-stop Santo http://www.igi.cnr.it/ish_rfp_ws2013/sites/default/files/attachments/map_bus_tram.pdf One ride, (inside the municipality of Padua) 75 minutes €1.20. Daily ticket, 4 rides valid for 75 minutes each, €4.70, Carnet of 9 tickets for €10, Carnet of 18 tickets, €20.00