The Noviciate Courtyard
Only groups who are accompanied by
the Basilica's religious or authorised personnel may
visit this Courtyard.
Exiting the Basilica from the only Sacristy door
which opens to the outside, you enter the Noviciate
Courtyard, the name of which comes from the
fact that the novices' rooms are located along one
side. These young candidates for religious life spend
a very intense spiritual year in the Community of
the Basilica, animating both community life and liturgical
celebrations with their presence.
The Noviciate Courtyard, created in
the latter half of the fifteenth century in a Gothic
style, is amply proportioned; the airiness
of the arches, which counterpoints the green of the
lawn, and the peaceful atmosphere inspire unforgettable
feelings. Added to this a view of the Basilica from
the south-east corner that never fails to charm
every visitor.
The
Magnolia Courtyard (or Chapter Courtyard)
 From
the Basilica's south door (or from the Noviciate Courtyard)
you can reach the Magnolia Courtyard,
so-called because of the "Magnolia grandiflora"
which was planted in the centre in 1810. The actual
courtyard originates from 1433. Here, as in the other
courtyards, there are tombs, monuments, plaques and
epigraphs, too much to describe in detail here.
The entrance to the Souvenir
Shop is on the south side. It contains religious
objects and books. Inside the shop,
a glass door opens onto the Offices of the Messenger
of St. Anthony and the Pilgrim Reception Area for
relations with members of St. Anthony's family. The
Information Office, open from April
to November, is located on the west side of the courtyard,
just before the courtyard exit.
The
General's Courtyard
 Exiting
the shop or the Magnolia Courtyard you can enter the
General's Courtyard (built in 1435,
in the Gothic style, work of Cristoforo da Bolzano).
It has this name because the accommodations reserved
for the General of the Order (as well as other religious
authorities), during visits to the Basilica and its
religious community, open onto this courtyard. From
this courtyard you can enter the prestigious Anthonian
library.
To the west of the Courtyard, you can
visit the Anthonian Exhibition, an
interesting audio-visual presentation of the life of
St. Anthony and the continuation of his work today.
A stop here compliments the visit to the Basilica..
Blessed
Luca Belludi's Courtyard (or the Museum Courtyard)
 You
can get here either through the Anthonian Exhibition
or the Magnolia Courtyard. This is a majestic Gothic
courtyard dating back to the latter half of the fifteenth
century. The adjacent rooms are the seats of various
organisations: the Institute of Religious Science,
the Centre
for Anthonian Studies, the Anthonian
Museum, containing various works of art of considerable
value and the Anthonian
Museum of Popular Devotion.
The
latter is open to the public, during the summer, and
is worth a visit (descriptive brochures are available).
It is divided into sections with each area referring
to different aspects of the world of devotion and pilgrimage
to the Saint.
St.
Anthony's Square
Two chapels open onto St. Anthony's Square which,
while not well known, are true artistic treasures
The
Oratory of St. George
 This
chapel was built by Raimondino Lupi di Soragna (Parma)
in the latter half of the fourteenth century as
a burial chapel for himself and his family who had retired
in Padua. It was completed by his relative Bonifacio
Lupi. Just like St. James' Chapel in the Basilica, the
oratory was completely frescoed by Altichiero da
Zevio and his aides. Art lovers must not miss this
splendid occasion. The entrance fee is very modest and
there are detailed guides available.
To
visit, ask one of the guardians, who can be found in
the adjacent building which connects St. George's Oratory
to the little church on the right, popularly known as
the School of the Saint, the 'Scoletta'.
The
School of the Saint
 This
term originates from Venetian tradition. It refers to
the seat of the Arch-confraternity of St. Anthony,
which boasts of a centuries long history and which is
still an active charitable society.
Nationally it is known for the "Goodness Competition"
for schools.
In
the fifteenth century the Arch-confraternity ordered
the construction of the little church on the ground
floor and at the beginning of the sixteenth century,
the conference room above it. In this room you can admire
sculptures, frescoes and paintings of considerable
interest; in particular three frescoes and a sinopia
drawing by the young Titian (1511) depicting
the Saint's miracles.
The
Gattamelata monument
 In
the Basilica, in the Chapel of the Most Holy, there
is the Tomb of Erasmo da Narni (nicknamed Gattamelata,
1443) Here we can admire the renowned equestrian
monument, a bronze masterpiece by Donatello
(1453), which uses, for the first time in modern history,
the ancient theme of the equestrian monument. Funereal
symbols, engraved onto the cenotaph, ensure that the
memory of the unyielding leader remains vivid.
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