Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SIGHTS
CAPPELLA DEGLI SCROVEGNI
MAP
CHURCH
GOOGLE MAP
( 049 201 00 20;
www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it
; Piazza Eremitani 8; adult/reduced €13/8; 9am-7pm Mon, to
10pm Tue-Sun Mar-Oct, 9am-7pm Nov-Dec, by reservation only)
Dante, da Vinci and Vasari all honour Gi-
otto as the artist who ended the Dark Ages with his 1303-05 frescoes. Giotto's moving,
modern approach changed how people saw themselves: not as lowly vassals but as vessels
for the divine, however flawed. This was especially well suited to the chapel Enrico
Scrovegni commissioned in memory of his father, who as a moneylender was denied a
Christian burial.
Previously medieval churchgoers had been accustomed to blank stares from saints
perched on high, golden Gothic thrones, but Giotto introduced biblical figures as characters
in recognisable settings. Onlookers gossip as middle-aged Anne tenderly kisses Joachim;
exhausted new dad Joseph falls asleep standing up in the manger; and Jesus stares down
Judas as the traitor puckers up for the fateful kiss. A 10-minute introductory video provides
some helpful insights before you enter the church itself.
Visits are by reservation only and booking is required online or by phone. Pick up tickets
at the Musei Civici agli Eremitani, where you access the chapel. Book well ahead for
weekends and any time from April to October. Chapel visits last 15 minutes, plus another
15 minutes for the video, though the 'double turn' night-session ticket (adult/reduced/child
under seven years €12/6/1) allows a 30-minute stay in the church.
MUSEI CIVICI AGLI EREMITANI
( 049 8204 5450; Piazza Eremitani 8; adult/reduced €10/8; 9am-7pm Tue-Sun)
The ground floor of this
monastery houses artefacts dating from Padua's Roman and pre-Roman past. Upstairs, a
rambling but interesting collection boasts a few notable 14th- to 18th-century works by
Bellini, Giorgione, Tintoretto and Veronese. The show-stopper is a crucifix by Giotto,
showing a heartbroken Mary wringing her hands as Jesus' blood drips into the eye sockets
of a human skull.
MUSEUM
CHIESA DEGLI EREMITANI
MAP
CHURCH
GOOGLE MAP
( 049 875 64 10; Piazza Eremitani; 8.15am-12.15pm & 4-6pm Mon-Sat, 9.30am-12.15pm & 4-6pm Sun)
When a 1944 bombing raid demolished the extraordinary 1448-57 frescoes by Andrea
