{"id":2692,"date":"2016-06-21T08:50:30","date_gmt":"2016-06-21T12:50:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=2692"},"modified":"2016-06-21T09:04:21","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T13:04:21","slug":"a-house-of-saints","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=2692","title":{"rendered":"A House of Saints"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a9 2016 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.<\/em><\/p>\n

When visiting Padua, most people make their way down to Prato della Valle, the largest square in Italy. \u00a0Presiding at the south\u00a0end of the square is a church that cannot be overlooked, especially for the extremely devout…Basilica di Santa Giustina.<\/p>\n

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Giustina (Justine), the patron saint of Padua, was a virgin of royal birth and a disciple of St. Peter the Apostle. \u00a0At the age of 16,\u00a0Justine suffered\u00a0martyrdom during the Christian persecutions of Diocletian. \u00a0Tortured and beheaded, her body was taken to Rome where it was interred on the estate of a noble lady named Rufina and later entombed in Constantine’s basilica.<\/p>\n

Justine’s remains\u00a0were eventually taken back to the site of her martyrdom. \u00a0The Abbey of St. Giustina was founded in the 5th century on her\u00a0tomb and during the 15th century became one of the most important monasteries in the area until its suppression by Napoleon in 1810. During the 6th century the church was dedicated to St. Justine.<\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a>Everyone should realize by now that I love visiting churches in Europe for their historical, architectural and artistic importance. \u00a0This one did not impress me…at first. \u00a0Not as elaborate as the Basilica di Sant’Antonio, both on the inside and out, this basilica, built in the 6th century, however, is the final resting place for not one, but many saints. \u00a0As I made a decision to enter,\u00a0I was not aware of this.<\/p>\n

The exterior of St. Giustina is unfortunately not finished, as with most churches in Padua and when entering, the basilica seems quite barren besides the 26 massive columns that fill the space. \u00a0Much of the artwork and sculpture were removed by Napoleon and brought to France. \u00a0The side chapels, however, are interesting and richly decorated. \u00a0The altarpiece of the grand high main altar is impressive, painted by Paolo Veronese, and represents the “Martyrdom of St. Giustina”.<\/p>\n

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\"image\"<\/a>Walking down the right aisle of the church, you will find the Chapel of St. Matthew. \u00a0Through this chapel you will reach the Corridor of the Martyrs…this is a part of the church that cannot be missed.<\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a>A\u00a0small frescoed chamber houses the bones of early Christian martyrs and further down the corridor, you will see the iron cage with the remains of the wooden coffin of St. Luke. \u00a0At the end of the corridor, you will reach the grave chapel of St. Prosdocimus, which is also the oldest church in Padua. \u00a0In the small vestibule to the chapel, you will find the tomb of St. Giustina on the left-hand side. \u00a0 St. Luke, the author of the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel of Luke, is interred at the end of the left transept of the church. \u00a0Other saints housed in the basilica are St. Maximus, St. Urius, St. Felicita, St. Julian and relics of St. Matthias.<\/p>\n

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The old choir, which is adjacent to the major corridor, can be visited only with special permission.<\/p>\n

It is possible to also visit the monastery that belongs to the Benedictine order. \u00a0Tour guides will accompany\u00a0you in the most ancient part of the first basilica, through the cloisters and the rooms that house the fragments of the second basilica.<\/p>\n

At the bottom of the South transept in the Martyrs’ Hall, religious objects and books can be purchased in the gift shop. \u00a0One of the most interesting things that can also be purchased here is an ancient cure once prepared in the apothecary of the Monastery…the Santa Giustina oil, used for muscle and joint pain and massage.<\/p>\n

A most holy place, Santa Giustina should not be omitted from your plans while in Padua. \u00a0While I had not researched this church, I only ventured in while I was walking through Prato della Valle. \u00a0Realizing what significant historical importance it has within Catholicism, I am most grateful that I did.<\/p>\n

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Abby of Santa Giustina<\/strong><\/p>\n