Basilica of Saint Anthony, Padua

Compare Hotel Room Rates from different Booking Sites

Basilica of Saint Anthony, Italy
Author: personsname (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5)

Location Map of Basilica of Saint Anthony

View Basilica of Saint Anthony, Padua in a larger map

The Basilica of Saint Anthony is the largest church in the city of Padua, Italy. Also called Il Santo, it enshrines the remains of St Anthony. Contruction began around 1235, and the basilica was completed in 1301. The Basilica of Saint Anthony is not the Cathedral of Padua - that title goes to the Duomo.

The Basilica is dedicated to St Anthony of Padua, a Portuguese Catholic saint born in Lisbon, Portugal, to a very rich family, and was known as Fernando Martins de Bulhões. He later took the name of António after entering the Franciscan Order.

St Anthony died on 13 June, 1231, on the way to Padua. He was the swiftest person in the history of the Catholic church to be made a saint. Pope Gregory IX canonized him less than one year after his death, on 30 May, 1232. Although he is not an incorruptible, his tongue, which is kept in a reliquary, is incorrupt, and to this day glistens as if it is still alive.

The Basilica of Saint Anthony is a single-naved church, with an apsidal chancel, broad transepts, and two square nave bays. Though the church is said to be without a precise architectural style, overall it is Romanesque. Aisles of a more Gothic style were added in the 13th century.

The Basilica houses several important images of the Madonna, among them the Madonna Mora, which shows the Madonna with the Christ Child, from 1396, by French sculptor Rainaldino di Puy-lEvéque. Another Madonna is the Madonna del Pilastro, a mid-14th century fresco by Stefano da Ferrara.

Photos of the Basilica of Saint Anthony

Basilica of St Anthony of Padua (22 April 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Grounds of Basilica of St Anthony of Padua (22 April 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Cloisters of Basilica of St Anthony of Padua (22 April 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Here I am at the Basilica of St Anthony, Padua, Italy (22 April 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Return to Padua Budget Travel Guide
Return to Italy Budget Travel Guide

Get my latest updates on Google+

Upcoming Tours of Asia

AsiaExplorers teams up with Exotissimo.com to bring you fantastic tour packages to experience Asia. The following are some of the upcoming tours:

Exotissimo.com - Temples Of Angkor - 4 Days / 3 Nights
On this experience filled tour of Angkor and its environs, save over USD 100 per person. Our Cambodia tour is filled with exciting touches and activities, making it the perfect choice for a luxury Cambodia trip, now for less!
Exotissimo.com - Vietnam Insight - 13 Days / 12 Nights
A stylish trip traversing the length of Vietnam from South to North. This blended trip of luxury, experience and unique touches is now on promotion for travel between June and August 2012 with savings of over USD 300 per person.
Exotissimo.com - Angkor in Depth - 5 Days / 4 Nights
Explore Angkor in Depth with amazing savings for travel from May 2012. On this exploratory journey, step off the trodden route for an insight into some of Cambodia's lesser known temples. Save over 20% when selecting our deluxe accommodation category.