Had a wonderful rest day in Padova—any day without the backpack is a rest day. I did a six-hour tour following the model of VisitAcity’s one-day tour for Padova. Yes, it can be done, but it’s tiresome. Amazing stuff here.
Scrovegni’s Chapel is undoubtedly #1 attraction—it’s a kind of a Sistine Chapel done in 1305, whereas the Sistine Chapel frescos were done in late 1480s and Michelangelo’s Last Judgement was done in 1530s. Giotto, the painter, is praised for being an inspiration to the later Renaissance Artists and particularly for infusing emotions into their subjects as well as for using perspective.
Not far from Scrovegni’s Chapel is the Eremitani Church, erected between 1260 and 1306 for the Hermits friars. In the 14th Century it became one of the most important churches of Padua and was decorated by the greatest masters then active in town. Its main features are the splendid vaulted wooden ceiling and its aisleless interior.
Third most noteworthy was the Padova Cathedral that just happened to be cycling through a number of young organ players with the master correcting them along the way. The Cathedral wasn’t anywhere nearly as impressive as the Basilica of St Anthony. The Cathedral of today is the third structure built on the same site. The first one was erected in 313 but destroyed by an earthquake on 3 January 1117. It was rebuilt in Romanesque style starting in 1551, but not finished until 1754, leaving the façade unfinished.
My last visit was to Santa Sofia Church, and to get in I had to ask a lady working in the rectory. She was so sweet opening the entire church just for me through the side door. Santa Sofia is the oldest church structure in the city. It was built in the 10th century on the site of a presumed Mythraeum. A grant was made to bishop Sinibaldo of this church in 1123, which had already been in construction. The Romanesque facade was constructed from 1106 to 1127, and is now somewhat inclined to subsidence of the soil. The interior is now relatively sparse.
Pictures:
1. Ext. of Scrovegni Chapel
2. Jesus kisses Judas
3. Last Judgment
4. Church of the Eremitani (Hermits)
5, Inside Eremitani
6. Padua Cathedral
7. Interior of Cathedral
8. Santa Sofia Church
9, Interior of Sofia
10. Prized fresco in Sofia
11. Last Supper by Giotto In Scrovegni Chapel