Monastero di Sant’Antonio in Polesine
The Estes weren’t all about worldly goods and power. In the early 13th century the aristocratic lady who would become Saint Beatrice d’Este entered this tranquil convent near the city walls when her groom-to-be died of battle wounds just before their wedding day. Over the years Este money paid for improvements that included a colorful fresco cycle by the school of Giotto in the nun’s chapel; their charming images include an exuberant Christ climbing a ladder onto the cross, where two spike-wielding tormentors await, and a gentle-looking Virgin fluttering her hands to ascend to Heaven. Ring the bell to enter, and a nun will emerge to show off the frescoes (in Italian). She’ll also invite you to return for 5pm vespers, where you’ll hear the cloistered order sing Gregorian chants from behind a grill.
The Estes weren’t all about worldly goods and power. In the early 13th century the aristocratic lady who would become Saint Beatrice d’Este entered this tranquil convent near the city walls when her groom-to-be died of battle wounds just before their wedding day. Over the years Este money paid for improvements that included a colorful fresco cycle by the school of Giotto in the nun’s chapel; their charming images include an exuberant Christ climbing a ladder onto the cross, where two spike-wielding tormentors await, and a gentle-looking Virgin fluttering her hands to ascend to Heaven. Ring the bell to enter, and a nun will emerge to show off the frescoes (in Italian). She’ll also invite you to return for 5pm vespers, where you’ll hear the cloistered order sing Gregorian chants from behind a grill.
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