Abbey of Santa Giustina
2A Via Giuseppe Ferrari Padova
The Abbey of Santa Giustina is one of the largest Benedictine monasteries in Europe. It is dedicated to Saint Justina of Padua, a revered early Christian martyr whose relics are preserved within the abbey. A church was first built on this site in the 6th century, when the area was still used as a cemetery. It was constructed to honor a young woman named Giustina, who had been killed for her Christian faith in the early 4th century during Roman rule. Several centuries later, in the 10th century, Benedictine monks settled in the area. As they established their community, they began to uncover relics of saints that had been hidden during earlier periods of conflict. Among these were believed to be the relics of both St. Giustina and St. Luke the Evangelist.
Over time, the abbey was renovated and expanded, blending different architectural styles that reflect its long history. Its architecture combines elements of Romanesque design with later Gothic details. Inside, visitors can find frescoes and decorations from the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
See Also:
Scrovegni Chapel
The Scrovegni Chapel is one of the most important places to see early Renaissance art up close.
The Basilica of St. Anthony
The Basilica of St. Anthony, commonly referred to by locals as Il Santo, is dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, a revered 13th-century Franciscan friar known for his sermons, and deep commitment to helping the poor.
Stay Connected:
Sign up and get weekly updates with new locations, itineraries and videos.
Image Credit:
"Abbazia di Santa Giustina” by Didier Descouens / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY‑SA 4.0
“Santa Giustina (Padua) ‑ Nave” by Didier Descouens / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY‑SA 4.0