Padova Starring the ARENA CHAPEL!

Ciao tutte!

I am just returned from the North, and the beautiful town of Padua (or Padova). It was picturesque and beautiful but it was soooo RAINY. Put a bit of a damper on the day (hehe, pun totally intended) but did not spoil the fun. I went with my friend Kellin BW, and we hit up the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua, and his healing tomb, before we headed to the Arena Chapel. The Church of San Anthony was soooo strange, but very cool. There are parts that have 13th century art in the style of Giotto, other parts that are totally Baroque-ified with crazy gilding and soaring details, but there is also a large part that was either restored or maybe just redecorated in the 19th century with art noveau figures! Seriously there are saints that look like they came straight out of a Mucha calendar! One female saint has long blonde pigtails that go all the way down to her knees! Definitely do not see that often in Renaissance church decoration.

After the Church, we ate lunch at a hideously decorated restaurant. The food was good, but the place itself was rather ... unappealing in decor. We then headed back over toward the Arena, and the Chapel!!!! I was sooo excited. Some of you who read this may know that I have actually visited the Scrovegni Chapel before... when I was 9. Mom took us, Nick, me and Guy, on our first trip to Europe, and I guess after the Louvre, and Versallies, and the wonders of Venice, I was a bit tired, and especially tired of art. The story of our visit goes that while Mom, and I'm sure Guy, were esctatic to be there, I was decidely not. I believe that I began to cry, lied down on one of the side benches, closed my eyes, and refused, quite loudly, to look at any more art. For any of you who have seen the interior of the Chapel, you will know that it is almost impossible to NOT look at something when you are there, and my decision to close my eyes was one of absolute desperation. HOWEVER, this time was definitely different.

We only got to be inside the Chapel for 15 minutes, and we looked over every single scene! It was breathtaking and I am so happy I had the opportunity to return when I was a bit more knowledgeable and a lot less tired. Pictures follow below of the town of Padova, and the outside of the Chapel, however cameras were not allowed inside, so Sorry!

Missing everyone, but relishing my last days here!
That Girl in Europe (for exactly two more weeks!)

Padova:
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