The rather beautiful Padua Cathedral and this is the third one on this same site, as the first one fell down in an earthquake and the second one wasn’t thought to be decadent enough. On the right of the photo is the Padua Baptistery, but that was closed when I visited. Michelangelo had a hand in the design of the third and current cathedral, although little from his plans was actually constructed.
Welcome to another one of my lop-sided photos (the Baptistry looks worse than the leaning Tower of Pisa), but this is the unfinished facade of the cathedral. The rose window at the top is also only there as it was added during repairs and restorations caused by a First World War bomb.
As an aside, I think it’s interesting that so many Italian churches have unfinished facades, the reality seems to me to be that they had such great plans and then rather ran out of money. There were extensive plans for the exterior here, but as it’s been like this for nearly 500 years, they might as well just leave it now.
I found this interior to be genuinely spectacular.
I also really liked the design of the flooring.
The light streaming in made it difficult to take a photo of the pulpit, but it’s of a ridiculous size and I’m not sure what they planned to go on up there. It was commissioned by Canon Selvatico and designed by Filippo Parodi (1630-1702).
There might be Baroque elements, but the whole cathedral is just so large it all feels rather moderate and calm.
Some interesting designs by the altar.
The central dome.
One of the side chapels.
I was very much impressed with this cathedral, it was bright, welcoming and felt religious which seems to me to be quite important. The design has ensured that it’s open, grand and decadent, without being overly-decorative. And I rather hope that they don’t finish the facade now, I quite like the rough and ready exterior.