The Church of the Eremitani stands on Piazza Eremitani in Padua, in the Veneto region of northern Italy. It is also known as the Chiesa degli Eremitani and as the Church of Saints Philip and James. Founded by the Augustinian order in the 13th century, it is a church that rewards a slow look, both for its architecture and for the paintings it holds.
What to see
The church is best known for the frescoes by Andrea Mantegna in the Ovetari Chapel, which draw visitors who come to Padua specifically to see them. The chapel is the reason many people step inside, and it is worth allowing time to study the walls and ceiling at your own pace.
The building is also an important example of medieval religious architecture. Parts of it were badly damaged during the Second World War, and its survival in its present form is part of its interest: you can see the medieval structure alongside the scars of that period.
Planning your visit
- Location: Piazza Eremitani, 9, 35121 Padova, in the historic centre.
- Contact: +39 049 875 6410, if you want to check arrangements before you travel.
- Good to know: as a working church, it is a place of worship, so dress and behave with the respect that suits a religious building.
Because the church sits within Padua's old town, it pairs easily with a walk through the surrounding streets and squares. A visit here fits naturally into a day of exploring the city's historic core, whether you come for its art, its architecture, or both.
