Basilica of Santa Anastasia

The Basilica of Santa Anastasia in Verona is one of the largest and most important Gothic churches in the city, as well as an architectural and artistic masterpiece. The construction of the basilica began around 1290 by the Dominican friars, with the support of the powerful Della Scala family, who ruled Verona at that time. The church is named after a pre-existing religious building from the Lombard period, dedicated to Santa Anastasia, a martyr from the 4th century. Located in the historic center of Verona, the Basilica of Santa Anastasia is an imposing monument, characterized by an unfinished but suggestive facade, decorated with a double portal in polychrome marble and numerous reliefs and frescoes. The interior of the church is in the shape of a Latin cross, divided into three wide naves supported by twelve massive columns of Veronese red marble. The columns, with their Gothic capitals, create an effect of verticality and grandeur that characterizes the entire interior space. One of the most famous and fascinating elements of the basilica are the two holy water fonts, supported by figures of hunchbacks sculpted by Gabriele Caliari, son of the famous Paolo Veronese. These statues, known as “the hunchbacks of Santa Anastasia,” have become popular symbols of the church, and tradition has it that touching their humps brings good luck. Inside the basilica, numerous works of art of great historical and artistic value are preserved. Among these stands out the famous fresco “Saint George and the Princess” by Antonio Pisano, known as Pisanello, created between 1433 and 1438. This fresco, located in the Pellegrini Chapel, represents one of the highest examples of the International Gothic style, depicting the chivalrous episode of Saint George saving the princess from the dragon. The work is renowned for its richness of details and the fairy-tale atmosphere it manages to evoke. The basilica also houses numerous other works of art, including paintings and sculptures by artists such as Francesco Caroto, Giovanni Badile, Paolo Farinati, il Falconetto, Lorenzo Veneziano, and l’Orbetto. These decorated altars and chapels offer a broad overview of Veronese artistic production from the 14th to the 18th century, highlighting the continuous evolution of style and artistic techniques. Another element of great interest is the Giusti Chapel, originally the oratory of the Dominican monastery. The chapel, accessible through an elegant marble portal, is decorated with frescoes and sculptures that make it one of the most suggestive corners of the basilica. From a historical perspective, the Basilica of Santa Anastasia has played a central role in the religious and social life of Verona. The construction of the church was made possible thanks to the generous donations of noble Veronese families and the Della Scala, who made it a symbol of their power and religious devotion. Over the centuries, the basilica has been the scene of important religious and civil events, becoming a point of reference for the Veronese community. The basilica is also fully accessible to people with disabilities, and entry is free for disabled visitors and their companions. This attention to accessibility reflects the church’s commitment to making its cultural heritage accessible to all.