Santi Simone e Giuda, Mantua, church building in Mantua, Italy

Santi Simone e Giuda is a church in central Mantua built from old brick and stone, featuring a simple facade that reflects its long history. Inside, the building has low ceilings and small windows that filter soft light, with a plain altar at the front and minimal decorations that create a warm, unadorned space.

Santi Simone e Giuda is among the oldest churches in Mantua, existing before the year 1000. It was rebuilt in 1593, restored in 1775 and again in the first half of the 19th century. Its parish was suppressed by decree on 22 June 1805 and joined to that of Sant'Andrea. Closed in 2001, it reopened in 2006 after restoration work.

Since 20 December 2008, Mass in the Tridentine form has been celebrated here every Saturday and on the eve of feast days at 6 pm. A bilingual Italian and English plaque, placed in 1914 by Douglas Crichton, recalls his ancestor James Crichton of Eliock and Cluny, the Scottish polymath called l'Ammirabile Critonio, who spoke ten languages and was killed in a sword fight by Vincenzo Gonzaga.

The church is easy to find when walking through Mantua's streets, but there is no parking directly next to it. It is best to park nearby on the street and then walk to reach the building.

A bilingual Italian and English plaque inside recalls James Crichton of Eliock and Cluny (1560-1582), a Scottish polymath said to speak ten languages, killed in a sword and dagger duel by Vincenzo Gonzaga, son of Duke Guglielmo. A descendant, Douglas Crichton, placed the plaque in 1914.