Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua

Welcome to the Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua (Bah-zee-lee-kah dee Sahnt-An-toh-nyo dee Pah-doh-vah), a site of immense spiritual and artistic significance known simply to the locals as 'Il Santo' (Eel Sahn-toh). As you stand…

Before we enter the Basilica, we must pause in the piazza to admire the equestrian statue of Gattamelata (Gah-tah-meh-lah-tah). Sculpted by the Florentine master Donatello (Doh-nah-tel-loh) in fourteen-fifty-three, this was the…

As we approach the main entrance, look up again at the architecture of the facade. It is a simple, broad Romanesque design, characterized by its solid brickwork and rows of blind arches. …

We now reach the spiritual center of the Basilica: the Chapel of Saint Anthony, or the 'Ark' (L’Ar-kah). This is where the saint's remains are housed, and it is the primary destination for every pilgrim. …

At the very back of the Basilica, in the center of the ambulatory, lies the Treasury Chapel (Kah-pel-lah del Te-zoh-roh). This circular, Baroque-style chapel holds the most sacred relics of the saint: his tongue, his vocal cords,…

Returning toward the center of the church, we find the High Altar, which houses one of the most important sculptural ensembles in the history of Western art. Created by Donatello between fourteen-forty-seven and fourteen-fifty,…

To conclude our tour, let us step out of the grand interior and into the cloisters of the adjoining Franciscan monastery. There are several interconnected courtyards, each offering a different perspective on the life of the…

As we leave the Basilica of Saint Anthony (Bah-zee-lee-kah dee Sahnt-An-toh-nyo), take a final look back at the eight domes silhouetted against the sky. This place is more than just a church; it is a repository of history, a…