Santa Maria della Scala, Gothic church in central Verona, Italy
Santa Maria della Scala is a Gothic church built with a brick facade and features a rose window and pointed-arch windows typical of the style. Inside, the space preserves a chapel with religious artworks and maintains the structural layout of a medieval parish church with its central nave and side aisles.
Construction started in 1324 when a local ruler donated a building to the Servants of Mary, and the church was consecrated in 1329. Over the following centuries, it was expanded and decorated with Renaissance artworks that are still visible today.
The Guantieri Chapel displays 34 painted and carved panels showing scenes from the life of Saint Jerome, made by Giovanni Badile in the 1440s. When you walk through the church, you can see these works and understand how religious stories were told through art to worshippers of that time.
The church is located near Via Mazzini in central Verona and is easily reached on foot from the city center. Remember that this is an active place of worship, so visitors should dress appropriately and be respectful during services.
Heavy bombing during World War II damaged the church severely, yet the apse and portions of the original facade survived the attack. Today, this creates a visible mix of original medieval elements alongside sections that were rebuilt, making the church's resilience physically apparent.
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