Basilica of Santa Giustina guided tour
The Basilica of Santa Giustina is one of the most important places of worship in Padua and one of the largest basilicas in Europe. A pilgrimage destination since the earliest Christian communities, it stands on the burial site of Saint Giustina, considered Padua’s first martyr, killed at only sixteen years old on October 7, 304 during the final persecutions against Christians.
The Benedictine complex and relics
The basilica is part of a vast Benedictine monastic complex, among the most significant in Veneto. Inside are preserved relics of exceptional religious and historical value:
- the relics of Saint Giustina
- those of Saint Prosdocimus, first bishop of Padua
- the relics of Saint Luke the Evangelist
- and of Saint Matthias the Apostle
This extraordinary concentration of relics makes the basilica a fundamental stop in the history of Christianity in the Veneto region.
Monumental architecture and Venetian domes
The current building, a magnificent example of late Renaissance style, draws inspiration from the great models of imperial Roman architecture. At 120 meters in length, Santa Giustina is the largest church in Padua.
A distinctive element of the architectural profile are the imposing external domes, typical of Venetian sacred architecture, which make the basilica immediately recognizable even from a great distance.
Artistic masterpieces inside
The guided tour of the Basilica of Santa Giustina allows you to admire numerous works of the highest quality:
- the monumental high altar altarpiece with the “Martyrdom of Saint Giustina” by Paolo Veronese
- the splendid Mannerist wooden choir carved by Riccardo Taurigny
- the Chapel of Saint Luke, with the sarcophagus that according to tradition preserves the remains of the evangelist
- the Chapel of the Pietà, a refined example of Baroque art
- the corridor of the martyrs with the well of relics
- the precious shrine of Saint Prosdocimus, a rare testimony of early Christian architecture
- the old choir, enriched with perspective wooden stalls from the second half of the fifteenth century
Opening hours (summer period)
- Weekdays: 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM / 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Sundays and holidays: 6:30 AM – 1:00 PM / 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Why choose Veneto TourGuide for Santa Giustina
- Extensive experience in the field
- Care and attention for the visitor
- Love for the profession
- We operate throughout Veneto
Visit Veneto with our authorized guides.
Contact us now for a quote or book online your guided tour of the Basilica of Santa Giustina in Padua.