• Italy: Ciao Bella
    Chiesa degli Eremitani — Padova, Italy.
    Chiesa degli Eremitani — Padova, Italy.Chiesa degli Eremitani — Padova, Italy.Chiesa degli Eremitani — Padova, Italy.Frescos in the presbytery ... Chiesa degli Eremitani — Padova, Italy.Frescos in the presbytery ... Chiesa degli Eremitani — Padova, Italy.Tomb of Ubertino da Carrara, a lord of Padova who died in 1345 ... Chiesa degli Eremitani.Tomb of Jacobo II da Carrara, a lord of Padova who died in 1351 ... Chiesa degli Eremitani.Chiesa degli Eremitani — Padova, Italy.Chiesa degli Eremitani — Padova, Italy.Chiesa degli Eremitani — Padova, Italy.Chiesa degli Eremitani — Padova, Italy.Putting together the fresco is like a jigsaw puzzle ... Chiesa degli Eremitani — Padova, Italy.The previous photo is the section of the original fresco in the lower left.Section of the Mantegna fresco in Ovetari Chapel ... removed before WWII — Chiesa degli Eremitani.Chiesa degli Eremitani — Padova, Italy.Chiesa degli Eremitani — Padova, Italy.Wood ceiling of Chiesa degli Eremitani — Padova, Italy.Historic photos of the ruins of Chiesa degli Eremitani after the WWII bombings.

    Padova: Chiesa degli Eremitani

    April 23 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    Following our tower climb, we decided to grab a bite to eat before continuing with our sightseeing. So, we headed to the restaurant Mui had already found for us … detouring to the Church of the Eremitani along the way. Turns out that was a wise choice … the doors to the church were locked for siesta practically on the heels of our quick visit.

    The name of the church translates as the Church of the Hermits. The formerly Augustinian church was built between the latter half of the 13th century and the beginning of the 14th century. Containing some of Padova’s 14th century fresco cycle, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    Unfortunately, the church’s location near German headquarters during WWII, led to heavy damage from Allied bombings. The famed frescos of the Ovetari Chapel, which was all but destroyed during the bombings, have been partially restored … a decades-long painstaking process of reassembling over 80,000 pieces. Seeing the work in the chapel, it looked very much like a jigsaw puzzle.

    As has surprisingly been the case in this very busy city, we once again had the place mostly to ourselves … no complaints from us.    Read more