Abbey of Santa Giustina, Benedictine abbey in Prato della Valle, Padua, Italy
The Abbey of Santa Giustina is a Benedictine church located in Prato della Valle, Padua. The building extends 122 meters (400 feet) and contains eight domes, three naves, and several chapels.
Work on the current building began in 1530 under architect Sebastiano da Lugano, after an earthquake in 1117 destroyed the earlier structure. Completion of the roof took 85 years, which became proverbial in local speech.
The monastery preserves relics of Luke the Evangelist and Saint Justina within its marble-lined sanctuary. These burial sites draw pilgrims who pray before the altars and light candles.
Visitors enter through the unfinished white marble facade and climb steps flanked by two red Verona marble griffins from the 13th century. The size of the interior requires time to explore the different chapels and side altars.
The 85-year construction period for the roof entered local language as the saying "as long as Santa Giustina's building". Paduans still use this expression when referring to any prolonged project.
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