Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Friday 29 March |
Good Friday
Aleteia logo
Travel
separateurCreated with Sketch.

This building is an abbey, a library, and a museum full of Renaissance masterpieces

ABBEY OF PRALIA

Pixelshop | Shutterstock

Daniel Esparza - published on 11/15/17

... And you can stay in its hostel, too.

Please consider a gift for Aleteia!
Help us spread the joy of Christ's victory.
Aleteia depends on your support.

Join our Lenten Campaign 2024.

DONATE NOW

A few kilometers from the legendary Abano Thermae, in the Euganean hills, one finds the abbey of Praglia: an exceptional architectural complex which, although built in the 11th century, eventually became a unique collection of works by the great masters of the late Renaissance.

ABBEY OF PRAGLIA
Gianni Rizzo | Youtube

Of the original medieval, relatively modest construction, only the imposing bell tower survives. The reason is simple: once the abbey settled into being self-sufficient (as all abbeys are supposed to be) in the 14th century, thanks to the initial patronage of the wealthier families of Padua, additions and renovations to the original building began to follow. That’s how the abbey became a distinctively Renaissance masterpiece.

BELL TOWER
Gianni Rizzo | Youtube

The first of these renovations was the basilica dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, designed by the famous (and controversial) master architect Tulio Lombardo in 1490. Lombardo was the first artist since classical antiquity to sculpt an entirely naked monumental piece – his “Adam,” nowadays housed in the Metropolitan Museum of New York. Campagnola’s frescoes grace the apse of the basilica, and the altars in the side chapels were designed and sculpted by the late Renaissance masters Varotari, Badile and El Veronese.

ABBEY OF PRAGLIA
Gianni Rizzo | Youtube

In fact, given the importance of its collection, it is hard to believe the monastery was abandoned for decades. It closed in 1810, and for years it was only used as a warehouse for nearby military barracks. That has been the shared lot of many architectural jewels. The same thing happened with buildings as paradigmatic as the Parthenon itself.

The monks did not return to the abbey until the early 20th century, when their immense library – adorned with frescoes and reliefs made by the masters of the Lombardi family – became the National Library of Italy, housing more than 120,000 volumes, both ancient and contemporary. Needless to say, the abbey of Praglia is a must for art history lovers, as for Western thought researchers and scholars, who can stay in the abbey with all the amenities offered by a long tradition of hospitality.

Tags:
ArtChurch HistoryHistoryTravel
Support Aleteia!

Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Thanks to their partnership in our mission, we reach more than 20 million unique users per month!

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.

Support Aleteia with a gift today!

jour1_V2.gif
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.