The Santa Maria del Carmine Basilica in Padua is popularly known as “i Carmini”. Next to this church stands the Renaissance Scoletta, which is completely frescoed.
Santa Maria del Carmine Basilica Padua
Address, opening hours and admission
Address: Piazza Petrarca – Padua. Telephone Scoletta del Carmine: (+39) 049 8760422 – 349 8757880. Opening hours: From April 1 till October 25 Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.00 till 16.00; From October 26 till March 31 Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.00 till 18.00. For a visit to the Scoletta, you need to make an appointment with the parish. Public transpport: Bus 1, 6, 9, 15.
History and description
Church
Construction of the Chiesa del Carmine began in 1335, but the church was not consecrated until 1446. The architect Lorenzo da Bologna, who was a follower of Brunelleschi, later rebuilt the church in a Renaissance style.
After several restorations, the facade was finished in 1737. The architect who designed this facade was G. Gloria, while the statues of Madonna and two saints were made by G. Bonazza.
Canova was resonsible for one of the altars.
Scoletta
The Scoletta next to the church was the seat of the confraterity of the same name. It was built in the 14th century, but the fresco cycle depicting the lives of Mary and Jesus were painted in the 16th century.
The frescoes are painted by various artists, including Girolamo Tessari (whose nickname was dal Santo), Giulio and Domenico Campagnola and Stefano dall’Arzere.