We went to Padua primarily to see the Arena Chapel (aka Scrovegni Chapel). It was consecrated in 1305, and built largely to ensure the salvation of the Scrovegni family, notorious usurers whom Dante had already damned (so to speak), adjoining their palazzo, built on the site of the old Roman arena (hence "Arena"). Nothing of the palazzo remains but the Arena Chapel. It has been venerated and preserved for centuries as home of perhaps the first great Renaissance painting masterpieces, Giotto's Mary and Jesus fresco cycles, which cover two of the walls; the rest of the interior is painted completely with a last judgment and various decorative and illusionary stuff. I'll include just a few pix, grabbed from
http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/g/giotto/padova/index.html, which has a great e-tour of the site. Visitation is by reservation, only 20 are allowed inside at one time, and only for 15 minutes; and this after having been de-humidified in an air-lock ante-chamber for 20 minutes. Needless to say, "no fotos!" But it's all worth it, even for just 15 minutes.
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You know you have made it when they name a shopping center after you
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Magnolias are a major part of the Italian landscape, and they have been blooming
since we got here; this in the park next to Arena Chapel
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There it is, Art History Ground Zero
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Back side, including the de-humidifying annex (they also show you an educational
video); there is also a museum with great hi-tech stuff; punctuality is enforced...
show up late and you have to buy another ticket, 15 euros, and hope there's an
opening in the next few days...
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Inside; the walls are entirely painted, both with the paintings per se
but also with decoration and illusionary stuff
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Back wall: last judgment
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Relevant detail
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Entry into Jerusalem
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Betrayal
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Lamentation
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