Chiesa degli Eremitani, Padova

Church in Padova

Padua Chiesa degli Eremitani
Padua Chiesa degli Eremitani
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Didier Descouens

The Church of the Eremitani (Chiesa degli Eremitani) is one of the best places to visit in Padua if you want to understand how faith, art and history intertwine in this scholarly city. Built between 1260 and 1276 for the Augustinian hermit friars, the church stands just beside the old city walls and near the museum complex, its tall Gothic façade crowned with a rose window that immediately draws the eye. Step inside and you move into a soaring single nave that still feels monastic and austere, even as it shelters precious tombs and fragments of once-celebrated frescoes.

This is a church marked as much by loss as by survival. Once home to the famed Ovetari Chapel frescoes painted by Andrea Mantegna in the mid-15th century, it suffered devastating damage during an Allied bombing raid in March 1944, when a nearby German headquarters made the area a target. Today only about 77 square metres of those frescoes survive in some 88,000 painstakingly conserved fragments, yet the church still preserves works by Guariento and Ansuino da Forlì, as well as the impressive tombs of the Carraresi lords Jacopo II and Ubertino da Carrara. It is often visited on walking tours of Padua as a place where you can feel both the city's medieval devotion and the scars of 20th-century conflict.

History and Significance of the Church of the Eremitani

The story of the Church of the Eremitani begins in 1237, when Augustinian hermit friars arrived in Padua. Supported by the wife of local noble Zaccaria dell’Arena and by the city authorities, they established a monastery complex on the edge of what is now the Arena district. Between 1260 and 1276, they built the church that still stands today, dedicating it to Saints Philip and James. Its Gothic form, with a tall brick façade and rose window, reflected both the spiritual aspirations and the growing urban confidence of 13th-century Padua.

For centuries, the Augustinian friars administered the church and monastery, turning it into a significant religious and intellectual centre. This continuity was broken in 1806, when the Napoleonic regime suppressed many religious orders; the Augustinians were disbanded and the monastery closed. The church itself reopened in 1808, and by 1817 it had been redesignated as a parish church, shifting its role from monastic house of prayer to a place serving the wider lay community, even as it retained its historic fabric.

The 19th century brought another major change: after the demolition of the church of Sant’Agostino, the monumental tombs of Jacopo II da Carrara and Ubertino da Carrara, lords of Padua in the 14th century, were transferred here in 1819. These works by Andriolo de Santi and others added a powerful civic and dynastic layer to the church’s religious function. The 20th century, however, left the deepest mark when the Ovetari Chapel, with its Mantegna fresco cycle on the lives of Saints James and Christopher, was almost entirely destroyed by an Allied air raid in March 1944. Today, the fragile fragments preserved inside make the church both a memorial to wartime destruction and a testament to painstaking conservation efforts.

Things to See and Do in the Church of the Eremitani

Begin outside by taking in the church’s Gothic façade, with its clean vertical lines and central rose window. Walk around to the side entrance to look at the 15th-century portal, where Nicolò Baroncelli’s bas-reliefs depict the months of the year in stone. These details, often overlooked, offer an insight into how medieval and Renaissance artists integrated everyday life and the passage of time into sacred architecture.

Inside, the single nave creates an immediate impression of height and simplicity, with the focus pulled towards the choir and chapels. Seek out the surviving frescoes by Guariento and Ansuino da Forlì, which help you imagine how richly decorated the interior once was. Even in fragmentary form, they show the skill and colour that once covered large portions of the walls. Make sure to spend time in the area where the remains of the Ovetari Chapel frescoes are displayed: the vast number of fragments and the relatively small area they now cover bring home just how extensive Mantegna’s original cycle was.

Do not miss the tombs of Jacopo II da Carrara and Ubertino da Carrara, relocated here in the early 19th century. These elaborate monuments, originally created for Sant’Agostino, combine sculptural detail with political symbolism, celebrating the power and prestige of the Carraresi family who ruled Padua in the 14th century. Together with the surviving frescoes and the austere architecture, they make the Church of the Eremitani a place where you can sense the layered interplay of religion, art, politics and war that has shaped the city.

How to Get to the Church of the Eremitani

The Church of the Eremitani is located in central Padua, close to the Giardini dell'Arena, the Scrovegni Chapel and the Museo agli Eremitani, making it easy to include in a wider visit to the city's main cultural district. Most international visitors reach Padua via Venice Marco Polo or Treviso airports, then continue into the city by shuttle, bus or train through Mestre or Venice before walking to the church. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Padova on Booking.com.

If you are arriving by train, head to Padova railway station, which is a major stop on the Venice-Milan and Venice-Bologna lines. Use Omnio to easily compare schedules, book train tickets, and find the best prices all in one place for a hassle-free journey across Italy. From the station, it is roughly a 10-15 minute walk to the Eremitani area: follow signs towards the Scrovegni Chapel and Civic Museums, and you will find the church just nearby. City buses and trams can also bring you closer to the museum district if you prefer a shorter walk.

For visitors travelling by car, Padua is well connected by the A4 and A13 motorways. If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. You can park in one of the car parks near the station or around the perimeter of the historic centre and then continue on foot to the Church of the Eremitani; this is usually the simplest way to visit, as the central streets are best explored without a car.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Church of the Eremitani

  • Suggested tips: Combine your visit with the Scrovegni Chapel and Museo agli Eremitani next door for a powerful mix of art, archaeology and church history; take a few minutes in the nave simply to absorb the calm atmosphere.
  • Best time to visit: Late morning or mid-afternoon on weekdays are often quieter, giving you space to enjoy the interior and the remaining fresco fragments at your own pace.
  • Entrance fee: Entry to the church itself is typically free, though donations are welcome; combined tickets apply only to nearby museums and the Scrovegni Chapel.
  • Opening hours: Hours can vary by season and liturgical calendar, but the church is generally open daily with a midday break; check current times locally or via Padua’s tourist information.
  • How long to spend: Allow 30-45 minutes to appreciate the architecture, tombs and fresco fragments; plan longer if you are pairing it with the adjacent museums and chapel.
  • Accessibility: The main entrance area is generally accessible, though some interior sections and chapels may have small steps; accessibility can vary, so visitors with limited mobility should check in advance.
  • Facilities: Basic facilities, including restrooms and information points, are more easily found at the nearby Museo agli Eremitani and visitor centres; cafés and shops lie within a short walk.
  • Photography tip: Capture the façade and rose window from the open space in front of the church, then look for quieter interior shots that highlight the contrast between bare walls and surviving fresco fragments; always respect any signage regarding photography during services.
  • Guided tours: Some guided tours of Padua’s historic centre and fresco sites include the Church of the Eremitani; these can help you understand the context of the lost Ovetari Chapel and the Carraresi tombs.
  • Nearby food options: After your visit, head towards Corso Garibaldi or the main market squares for cafés, bakeries and trattorie where you can pause and plan the rest of your day.

Where to Stay close to the Church of the Eremitani

Staying near the Eremitani area puts you right beside Padua’s main museum and fresco district, making it easy to explore on foot. A practical choice is Hotel Europa Padova, which offers comfortable accommodation within walking distance of the Church of the Eremitani, the Scrovegni Chapel and Giardini dell'Arena. For a more central base in the old town that is still a short stroll from the church, consider Hotel Majestic Toscanelli, ideal if you also want quick access to Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Frutti. Another good option is Hotel Milano, convenient for arrivals by car or train while still allowing you to reach the church and nearby sights on foot.

Is the Church of the Eremitani Worth Visiting

The Church of the Eremitani is very much worth visiting, especially if you are already in the area for the Scrovegni Chapel and Civic Museums. It offers a different, more contemplative experience, where the focus is on architecture, quiet chapels, tombs and the poignant story of Mantegna's destroyed frescoes. Standing in front of the surviving fragments, you gain a deeper appreciation of both the brilliance of Renaissance art and the fragility of cultural heritage in times of war.

At the same time, the church tells the story of Padua's religious communities and ruling families, from the Augustinian hermits who first built it to the Carraresi lords whose tombs now rest inside. For anyone interested in how a city's faith, politics and art intersect across centuries, the Church of the Eremitani is often visited on walking tours of Padua and deserves a firm place on your itinerary.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (1,266)

Chiesa degli Eremitani at Piazza Eremitani 9 is a 13th-century church known for its simple, elegant architecture, vaulted interior and funerary monuments of local noble families; its highlight is the Ovetari Chapel frescoes by Andrea Mantegna, though those works were heavily damaged in World War II and now survive largely as fragments and carefully-restored outlines that visitors come to study and admire, alongside other restored wall paintings and a few sculptures — entry is free, it can feel quiet at midday, and the site is often visited for its artistic and historical interest.

sibeaster
5 months ago
"One of the most interesting churches in Padova. There are two wonderful Gothic funeral monuments of Carrara nobles (local rulers). But the mostglorious jewel of the church - frescoes of young Mantegna in Ovetari chapel - were destroyed by Anglo-American bombardment, there are only some fragments of "real Mantegna" now to be seen. Another interesting part are frescoes of Gualtiero in Maggiore chapelnHighly recommended. But you must understand: it's not museum but church, so there are some "dead hours" in the midday...."
Kristýna Vacardová
2 years ago
"The remains of the frescos are absolutely, absolutely stu ing! Truly worth the visit to marvel at them for an hour. Too bad the front part of thechurch isn't in a similar style, but it's still one of the most jaw dropping sight in Padova. Free entry...."
Sergei Berliakov
2 years ago
"Usually Padua's churches are very spiritual and profound, I didn't catch it here. In the past it was very important shrine, significantly restoredafter aerial bombing during the WWII. Pity that Andrea Mantegna's cycle of frescoes now tells us more how ugly the war is rather than about the brilliant age of art when he had crafted this work. Interestingly restored though with graphic showing outlines of the missing parts and preserved pieces (sometimes just tiny fragments) put on the former places. Great restoration work. Light wasn't working even for money, hopefully would be fixed soon. This place is worth a visit at least for historical purposes...."

FAQs for Visiting the Church of the Eremitani

The church stands near Giardini dell’Arena in central Padua, close to the Scrovegni Chapel and the Museo agli Eremitani, and is easily reached on foot from the railway station or main squares.
There is no strict formal dress code, but as an active place of worship you should dress modestly, avoiding very short shorts or tops that expose shoulders.
The original Mantegna frescoes were largely destroyed in a 1944 bombing; today you can view the remaining fragments and reconstructions, which cover only a portion of the chapel’s original surface.
Photography without flash is often permitted outside of services, but rules can vary and there may be restrictions near sensitive artworks or during Mass, so always check posted signs or ask on site.
If you are visiting the Scrovegni Chapel and Museo agli Eremitani, allow an extra 30-45 minutes specifically for the Church of the Eremitani to see the nave, tombs and fresco fragments without rushing.

Nearby Attractions to the Church of the Eremitani

  • Scrovegni Chapel: World-famous chapel decorated with Giotto's fresco cycle, just steps away in the Arena complex.
  • Museo agli Eremitani: Padua’s main archaeological and art museum, located beside the church and ideal to pair in a single visit.
  • Giardini dell'Arena: Peaceful city park with the remains of a Roman amphitheatre, providing a pleasant green space next to the museum and church.
  • Palazzo Zuckermann: Early-20th-century palace opposite the Scrovegni Chapel, housing decorative arts and the Museo Bottacin's coin collections.
  • Caffè Pedrocchi: Historic café and former intellectual hub in the heart of Padua, a short walk away and perfect for a coffee or snack after exploring the Eremitani area.

The Chiesa degli Eremitani appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Padova!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

Hours can vary by season and liturgical calendar, but the church is generally open daily with a midday break; check current times locally or via Padua’s tourist information.

Price:

Entry to the church itself is typically free, though donations are welcome; combined tickets apply only to nearby museums and the Scrovegni Chapel.

Address: Chiesa degli Eremitani, Piazza Eremitani, Padua, Province of Padua, Italy
Padova: 1 km

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