Church of St. Thomas of Canterbury

The Church of San Tomaso Cantuariense, located near the historic center of Verona, is a fascinating example of religious architecture that intertwines Romanesque and Gothic elements. Dedicated to St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, the church has a rich and complex history that reflects the political and social vicissitudes of the city. The current church was built by the Carmelites in the 15th century, but its origins date back much earlier. In the place where the current building stands, there were two previous churches: one dedicated to St. Thomas Becket, consecrated in 1316, and another to the Virgin Annunziata, consecrated in 1351. These two churches were integrated and replaced by the current structure, which was completed over time, but still retains traces of the previous constructions. From an architectural point of view, the church has an unfinished but suggestive facade, decorated with a central rose window and lancet windows that reflect Gothic influence. The portal, originally from the church of Santa Maria Mater Domini, was moved to its current position in 1518, adding another element of historical and artistic interest. The interior of the church is equally fascinating, with a single nave and a floor of white and red checkered tiles leading to the presbytery. The ceiling is covered in wood, with trusses that give a sense of warmth and intimacy to the space. Eight altars, framed by Renaissance arches, further enrich the environment, hosting works by important Veronese artists such as Paolo Farinati, Francesco Torbido, Girolamo Dai Libri, Antonio Balestra, and Alessandro Turchi. One of the most remarkable elements of the church is the Romanesque bell tower, sixty meters high, which houses a concert of ten bells. These bells, cast by the Cavadini company in 1930, are renowned for their precision and melody and are manually played according to the Veronese technique of bell concerts, a traditional art that gives a unique character to the sacred music of the city. The Church of San Tomaso Cantuariense is also famous for its Baroque organ, played by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1769 during a visit to Verona. The young composer, then thirteen years old, engraved his initials on the instrument’s case, a detail that adds a touch of charm and historicity to the already rich heritage of the church. Over the centuries, the church has undergone various transformations and has experienced difficult times. During the Napoleonic domination, it was used as a hospital for French troops, and later, during the Austrian period, the adjacent convent was converted into a military prison. Only after the annexation of Veneto to the Kingdom of Italy in 1867 did the church return to being an active place of worship.