Page 17 - The Portal magazine - February 2025

THE P RTAL February 2025 Page 17

Padova and the

Basilica of Sant’Antonio

Donato Tallo

ADOVA, IN the Veneto region of northern Italy is a charming and beautiful city and one that is
Poften overlooked by travellers due to its close proximity to Venice, Verona and Bologna. While these
three cities are often favoured by visitors to northern Italy over Padova, this in some respects gives the city of
Padova a calm and more authentic ambience.

Padova is home to one of the oldest universities in
the world - the University of Padova - and it is a city
rich in culture and beautiful architecture. The city is
considered by historians to be older than Rome and
has the river Bacchiglione running through it which
historically was an extremely significant waterway in
northern Italy. Padova is also the place where brothers
Luigi and Silvio Barbieri invented the now world
famous and popular beverage Aperol in 1919.

Modern day Padova is full of beautiful churches,
the aroma of Italian bakeries and trattorias and an
intriguing Italian charm. Porticos and piazzas are Work on the Basilica started in 1232 and it is an
plentiful in Padova and the city is a very easy one imposing building with two bell towers and several
to travel around. The wider region is an important domes and as a whole the complex towers above many
agricultural area of northern Italy as well as being of of the other churches and buildings in Padova.
significant cultural and industrial importance.
Known locally as il Santo, which literally means
There are many beautiful churches in Padova, all the Saint, the basilica is a welcoming place where
unique and with varying histories. The Cathedral pilgrims from near and far ask for the intercession
dedicated to Saint Mary of the Assumption is the seat of St Anthony and remember loved ones before his
of the Bishop of Padova and it is the central church for shrine. The basilica is a place of hope and through the
the diocese bearing the same name, while the Abbey constant stream of liturgies, prayer, sacraments and
of Saint Giustina is an impressive building with its other activities it is a sign of Christ’s presence in our
many side chapels and array of artwork. The church of world today.
Santa Croche is another impressive building with an
interesting array of frescos. St Anthony was born in 1195 in Portugal and died
in Italy in 1231 at the young age of 35. He is noted
Despite the many different churches in the city, for being canonised within a year of his death by Pope
there is one church in Padova that has a worldwide Gregory IX. St Anthony was originally an Augustinian
reputation and is of significant importance - the monk and subsequently became a Franciscan friar
Basilica of St Anthony. and was known for his outstanding preaching and
devotion to the poor and the sick.
The Basilica of St Anthony (known in Italian as
Sant’ Antonio) is an international shrine dedicated to St Anthony’s life is certainly one that is worthy of
St Anthony and no visit to the city of Padova would study and reflection and while many patronages are
be complete without a visit to this beautiful complex. attributed to him his most famous is undoubtedly
Located on the Piazza Del Santo, the basilica is not the patronage of the recovery of lost items. The story
simply a historic monument or a beautiful building but of St Anthony’s bread is also most certainly worthy
a vibrant place of pilgrimage and outreach where Our of reflection. The devotion to the poor which was
Lord can be encountered and St Anthony venerated demonstrated by St Anthony many years ago continues
amid holy, sacred and spiritually uplifting surroundings.
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... continued at the foot of page 21