Page 164 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

162 І NOR THEAST IT AL Y

Exploring Padua
Padua is a city of many attractions, with a rich history: this is
reflected in the major museum complex which occupies a
group of 14th-century monastic buildings attached to the
church of the Eremitani, a reclusive Augustinian order. Next
door is the Cappella degli Scrovegni (see pp160–61). Padua is,
in addition, the setting for one of Italy’s most important
churches – the splendid Basilica di Sant’Antonio – and for
one of the earliest universities to be founded in Italy.

E Chiesa degli Eremitani The Museo Civico Eremitani
and Museo Civico Eremitani holds a coin collection featuring
Piazza Eremitani 8. Tel 049 820 45 rare Roman medallions and an
51. Chapel: Open daily. Museum: almost complete set of Venetian
Open Tue–Sun. Closed 1 Jan, 1 May, coinage, an archaeological
25 & 26 Dec. & 7 ^ = section and an art gallery.
∑ turismopadova.it The rich archaeological
The Eremitani church, built collection contains interesting
from 1276 to 1306, contains Roman tombs, fine mosaics and 15th-century Angels in Armour by
magnificent roof and wall impressive life-size statues. Guariento, Museo Civico Eremitani
tombs. Among them is that of Renaissance bronzes include the
Marco Benavides (1489–1582), comical Drinking Satyr by Il Riccio Padua, a preacher who modelled
a professor of law at (1470–1532). himself on St Francis of Assisi.
the city university, The 14th-century Although he was a simple man
whose Renaissance crucifix from the who rejected worldly wealth, the
tomb was the Cappella degli citizens of Padua built a lavish
work of Florentine Scrovegni is in the church to serve as his shrine.
architect Quadreria Emo The influence of Byzantine
Ammannati (1511– Capodilista, as well as architecture is clearly visible in
92). Celebrated works by Giotto, the basilica’s outline: a cone-
frescoes (1454–7) and 15th- to 18th- shaped central dome rises
by Mantegna, century paintings above seven encircling domes;
portraying scenes A 1st-century AD tomb in the from the Venetian the façade combines Gothic
from the lives of archaeological collection and Flemish schools. and Romanesque elements.
St James and St Inside, the high altar features
Christopher, were destroyed R Basilica di Sant’Antonio Donatello’s magnificent reliefs
during a bombing raid in 1944. Piazza del Santo. Tel 049 822 56 52. (1444–5) on the miracles of St
Two scenes from this Open 7am–7:30pm daily. Anthony, and his statues of the
magnificent series survive in the This exotic church, with its Crucifixion, the Virgin and Paduan
Cappella Ovetari, south of the minaret-like spires and Byzantine saints. The tomb of St Anthony,
sanctuary: The Martyrdom of domes, is also known as Il Santo. hung with offerings, lies in the
St James and The Martyrdom It was built from 1232 to house north transept; large marble
of St Christopher. the remains of St Anthony of reliefs depicting the saint’s life,
carved in 1505–77 by various
artists, adorn the walls around it.
A lively fresco scene of the
Crucifixion by Altichiero da Zevio
(1380s) adorns the south transept.
P Statue of Gattamelata
Beside the entrance to the basilica
stands one of the great works of
the Renaissance: a statue of the
mercenary soldier Gattamelata.
This gritty portrait was created
in 1443–52, in honour of a man
who during his life did great
service to the Venetian Republic.
The artist Donatello won fame
for the monument, the first
equestrian statue made on such
The Basilica di Sant’Antonio, and Donatello’s statue of Gattamelata a large scale since Roman times.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp562–5 and pp580–84

162-163_EW_Italy.indd 162 4/4/17 5:33 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.2)
Date 12th June 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm