Padua

Basilica of Saint Anthony

Basilica of Saint Anthony – Padua

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.

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Padua – Italy

Padua (pop. 212,000), Italy, the capital of Padova province, is 40km west of Venice. Set amongst the historic Euganaean Hills, Padua boasts a picturesque network of arcaded streets, numerous bridges, and large communal plazzas.

History

Patavium, as Padua was known by the Romans, was inhabited by Veneti, who prospered due to their excellent horses and high quality wool. In 1452 the Padua of Antiquity was destroyed by the Huns, under Attila. The only remaining Roman ruins are the amphitheater and some bridge foundations. After centuries of conflict, Padua began to prosper. In 1222 the university was founded, making it one of the oldest universities in continuous operation. Galileo taught in Padua from 1592 to 1610. His chair can be seen in the “Room of the Forty”. The famous Anatomy Theatre, where Vesalius taught, is the oldest in the world (1594).

The botanical garden, Orto Botanico di Padova, was founded in 1545 as the garden of curative herbs attached to the University’s faculty of medicine. It is the oldest botanical garden in the world and still contains an important collection of rare plants. Prior to the formation of the united Kingdom of Italy in 1866, Padua was ruled, at various times, by the Venetians and the Austrians.

Places to See

The Palazzo della Ragione, commenced in 1172 and finished in 1219, may have the largest roof unsupported by columns in Europe.

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